Israeli security forces on Sunday thwarted an attempt to smuggle explosives in the Jordan Valley area.
Soldiers from the IDF’s Bekaa and Valleys Brigade worked in cooperation with the Israel Police to locate a bag that contained six standard explosive charges.
The IDF said the explosives were found as part of its ongoing activity to prevent the smuggling of weapons into the State of Israel.
The findings were transferred to security services for further handling and investigation.
16 arrested in Judea and Samaria
Israeli forces arrested 16 wanted suspects during overnight operations in Judea and Samaria, the army said on Tuesday.
Thirteen suspects were captured during raids in the Bethlehem area, including in the city itself and in the towns of al-Dawha and Teqoa and the Dheisheh camp, and in the city of Tulkarm.
The additional suspects were arrested in Khirbat Karme near Hebron, Rumana near Jenin and Biddu near Jerusalem.
Soldiers located and confiscated military equipment in the town of Aqraba, near Nablus (Shechem).
Bombs were thrown at Israeli personnel in Rumana and locals rioted in Biddu, with the soldiers responding with riot dispersal means.
Rocks were thrown at Israeli forces in Aqabat Jaber and Ein al-Sultan, both near Jericho, where forces responded with riot dispersal means and “hits were identified.”
The IDF also said that security forces were searching for suspects after reports of shots fired and an explosive device that was hurled from a passing vehicle adjacent to the Gilboa Crossing while it was closed to traffic. No injuries were reported in the alleged incident.
Additionally, soldiers reported on Monday evening a shooting in the area of the Judea and Samaria security fence, adjacent to the Israeli community of Sal’it.
Israeli forces identified a gunman and responded with live fire. During a search of the area, a weapon was located that is suspected of being the one used in the shooting. It was transferred to the security services for further processing.
Gaza hold “military” drill
Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip held a large-scale “military” exercise on Tuesday morning, including firing a barrage of rockets into the Mediterranean Sea.
The Hamas-run Gaza Interior Ministry on Monday announced the al-Rukn al-Shadid 4 (Mighty Pillar 4) drill involving the “Joint Operations Room of the Palestinian Resistance factions.”
Arab media reported that the maneuver was timed to coincide with the 18th anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
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