Israeli security forces destroyed an illegal firearms production facility in the West Bank on Saturday night, the second such factory it has targeted in a week.
Five lathes were destroyed in Beitunya near Ramallah. During the operation, IDF, Israel Police, Border Police, and Shin Bet security agency operatives were attacked with stones, burning tires, and firebombs. Israeli forces suffered no casualties and employed anti-riot measures.
Video released by the IDF Spokesman shows that the forces disabled and dismantled the equipment, and set off explosives in the workshop.
לוחמי צה"ל, משטרת ישראל מג"ב ושב"כ השמידו הלילה חמש מחרטות לייצור כלי נשק בכפר ביתוניא; הכוחות עצרו שני מבוקשים ברחבי יהודה ושומרון >> pic.twitter.com/worLPMcTbq
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 1, 2023
Israeli forces arrest two in Abu Dis
In another operation, two wanted fugitives were arrested in Abu Dis in possession of an air pistol.
The IDF destroyed a firearms factory in Hebron on Wednesday. Israeli forces had confiscated four lathes, a few dozen 9 mm. cartridges, AR-15 type rifle parts, an old hunting rifle, and Hamas paraphernalia.
Palestinian terrorists often use a self-manufactured submachine gun, the Carlo, a crude imitation of the Karl Gustav weapon, that fires 9 mm. rounds.
The raids were held as the alertness of security officials remains high during the holiday season. Palestinian media have claimed Israelis are “storming” the Temple Mount area during the Sukkot holiday. Hamas’s Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades called for a “Jerusalem Intifada” on Sunday morning.
The police said Sunday that, along with the IDF and Border Police, they had made preparations for Jewish pilgrims to visit the Cave of the Patriarch in Hebron on Monday and Tuesday. They expect tens of thousands of worshipers from all over the country, with shuttles arranged from Jerusalem and Kiryat Arba.
Police also are set to secure the priestly blessing at the Western Wall on Monday and Wednesday morning. Security is also expected to be tight around a Jerusalem march to be held on.