This past Friday, a 10-year-old Arab boy from the Palestinian territories made headlines when he entered the settlement of Shema, only to be apprehended with a large knife in his possession. In the subsequent investigation conducted by security personnel within the settlement, it came to light that the boy had been sent on this troubling mission by his father. According to the young boy's account, his father, armed and determined, had been roaming the roads of Samaria with the intention of launching an attack on Jewish residents.
The incident unfolded just a few hours before the commencement of the Sabbath when a resident, returning from IDF reserve duty, stumbled upon the young boy and initiated a swift search. This search revealed the concealed knife. When questioned by the security forces, the boy revealed that his father was armed with a more formidable weapon and was waiting for him. Shockingly, the boy disclosed, "Father wanted to enter the settlement with me, but when he saw that there were military forces present, he sent me to carry out an attack and, in his words, 'die a martyr's death.'"
*מועצת שומרון רכשה מאות רובים לתגבור כיתות הכוננות*
— בז news (@1717Bazz) October 12, 2023
*ראש מועצת שומרון יוסי דגן חתם על עיסקת נשק לרכישת מאות רובי סער משופרים לתגבור כיתות הכוננות בישובי המועצה, בעזרת תרומות של מיליונים שגייס מידידי השומרון בחו"ל. דגן אמר בחתימת עיסקת הנשק: "כולנו יחד אגרוף ברזל! מתגברים את… pic.twitter.com/ELDSa2tVy8
The Israeli forces operating in the area managed to apprehend the father. However, due to the status of the child as a minor, he was ultimately released. This turn of events raised concerns among residents. One resident stated, "This child terrorist came with one thing on his mind—to carry out an attack in the settlement." The fact that a child could enter the settlement in broad daylight without detection is deeply unsettling. While it is acknowledged that this is indeed a young child, it underscores the continued interest of certain individuals in infiltrating settlements and perpetrating terrorist attacks. Residents of Shema expressed gratitude for what they deemed a "great miracle."
These developments come in the context of the IDF's extensive efforts throughout Judea and Samaria to thwart any potential escalation of security threats posed by Hamas terrorists. In a tactical operation designed to demonstrate the IDF's capabilities, the Shin Bet seized the house of Saleh Arouri, a founding member of Hamas. A conspicuous sign now adorns the house, declaring it the headquarters of Abu Al-Namr of the Shin Bet. Saleh al-Aruri holds the position of overseeing the military activities of Hamas in Judea and Samaria, in addition to serving as the deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas.
הבית של סלאח אל-אערורי, מספר 2 בחמאס בגדה, שממוקם בכפר עארורה שבאזור רמאללה, נתפס על ידי צה"ל ונתלה עליו שלט עם תמונתו על רקע דגל ישראל והכיתוב: "כאן היה ביתו של אל-עארורי שהפך למטה של אבו א-נמר מהשב"כ".
— יוסף חדאד - Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) October 21, 2023
ככה מדברים בערבית💪🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/9hW7lkyEAU
Over the course of Shabbat, the Binyamin Brigade executed a comprehensive counter-terrorism operation targeting Hamas operatives in the village of Arura, where Al Arouri resided. The troops commandeered al-Arouri's residence, transforming it into the headquarters for the IDF and Shin Bet's efforts to interrogate and apprehend individuals on their wanted list.
Since the onset of the conflict, a total of 584 individuals designated as wanted have been arrested throughout the Judea and Samaria region. Of this number, more than 375 are associated with the terrorist organization Hamas. Security forces have also confiscated over 50 weapons during their operations.
