IDF carries out overnight raid in West Bank, arrests 9 wanted Palestinians

Near-nightly raids shut down illegal weapons factories, confiscates arms.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM
Updated: NOVEMBER 21, 2016 17:16
IDF weapons cache found in West-Bank raid (photo credit: IDF)
IDF weapons cache found in West-Bank raid
(photo credit: IDF)
Nine wanted Palestinians have been arrested and a large illegal weapons cache confiscated after a joint overnight operation of the IDF, Border Police and local police in the West Bank early on Monday morning, the Israeli army said in a statement.
According to the IDF, two members of Hamas and three members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad were arrested during the raids.  The additional four suspects were not reported to be members of any specific group.
Four of the suspects arrested in the raids were wanted for targeting Israeli civilians and security forces in past terror attacks and riots.
A separate joint raid by the IDF, Border Police, Israel Police and Shin Bet security agency, a makeshift office for funding and inciting of terror attacks was shut down.  During the raid, security officials confiscated thousands of shekels as well as a computer and other written documents.
IDF seizes large weapons cache in West Bank raids. Courtesy: IDF
IDF seizes large weapons cache in West Bank raids. Courtesy: IDF
A third overnight raid in the Jenin region, carried out by the IDF and border police, saw security officials uncover a weapons factory, where numerous guns and gun parts were seized.
Israeli security forces, including the Shin Bet intelligence agency, Israeli Defense Forces and police, have increased their efforts to uncover unofficial workshops producing explosives and other illegal weapons.
Israel has carried out near-nightly raids in the West Bank, shutting down weapons factories and confiscating arms, greatly reducing the number of illegal arms and other weapons that could end up in the hands of potential attackers.
On Sunday, at least 4 Palestinians were detained in the West Bank and East Jerusalem by Israeli security forces.
According to The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) documentation, the Israeli army carried out 185 raids over the past two weeks.