Israel destroys explosives, terror war room in West Bank refugee camp

Under fire and countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs), Israeli security destroyed a terrorist command center and explosives arsenal in Nur Shams, a West Bank refugee camp, the IDF Spokespersons Unit said on Sunday morning.

Explosive devices were hurled at the soldiers during the raid and IDF troops returned fire, reporting several hits. A soldier was moderately wounded by shrapnel and Hamas confirmed the death of two of its al-Qassam Brigade members, Asaad Jab’awi and Abdurrahman Suleiman Abu Daghash.

The Yahalom special forces demolitions unit and combat engineering units exploded several IEDs on the road in the camp near Tulkarm. At least one high-explosive anti-armor device was placed in the area along with other concealed charges by terrorists ahead of the IDF raid. Images published by the military show the use of D9 bulldozers in the area.

A team effort by Israeli security services

The Egoz commando unit, the Golani reconnaissance battalion, Israel Border Police, and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) operated in tandem to locate and destroy the control center and explosives arsenal.

The control center was filled with observation equipment and computers. Photographs by the IDF showed cameras and real-time feeds that provided surveillance of the area and streets from multiple angles. The armory consisted of dozens of pipe bombs and several large gas tanks.

Earlier this month, a Palestinian was killed as Israeli forces destroyed explosives being stored in Nur Shams. During that raid, explosive devices also targeted Israeli bulldozers.

Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF and Shin Bet on Sunday arrested eight suspects who were part of a Hamas cell operating out of Bir Zeit University. The squad members were recruited by Hamas operatives from Gaza and received weapons and ammunition to conduct an attack on Israelis. Israeli forces entered the university on information that the cell was planning an imminent attack.

“This is another example of the Hamas terrorist organization using legitimate institutions in order to advance terrorist operations with it as a refuge for perpetrators,” said the IDF.

One suspect was arrested in the area of the raid, and four others were arrested in another operation in the village of Khirbat Karme, southwest of Hebron.