Rocket Found in Samaria Village, Hamas Operatives Arrested

Israeli forces discovered an unlaunched rocket containing explosives in the village of Aqaba, in the northern Samaria region, during an overnight operation Sunday aimed at dismantling a Hamas terror infrastructure. The operation, which involved elite units like the Yamam, Duvdevan, and battalions 890 and 50, was executed within hours of receiving intelligence.

Following months of intelligence gathering by the Shin Bet, the forces arrested eight Hamas operatives believed to be involved in advancing terror plans and organizing attacks. The rocket, found without a launcher, was immediately detonated by Yamam forces. During a field interrogation, one of the arrested operatives led soldiers to a concealed stash of explosives intended for bomb-making and a disassembled M16 rifle near a tree in the village. Explosives experts destroyed the materials, and the weapon was confiscated.

Security officials stated that the operation was decided upon rapidly due to a specific threat and operational opportunity. They affirmed that forces will continue to act against terror infrastructures throughout Judea and Samaria to prevent attacks on residents and Israeli citizens.