Even as the IDF continues its operations against the terrorist regime in Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, operational activities in other sectors do not stop for a moment. The opposite is true in the Central Command: there, all 7 regional brigades operate day and night. Whether it’s thwarting an attempted attack at an intersection, seizing weapons, securing a main traffic axis, or maintaining high alert around Ramadan holiday prayers.
Samaria
Prominent locations: Nablus, Akarba, Kutzra, Jaba, and Beit Furik
In the past two weeks since the start of the operation, while many of us have been entering and exiting protected areas, Samaria Brigade forces have increased the pace of operations. The brigade was reinforced with three additional reserve battalions: 5037, 8109, and 5037, which have now been replaced by the new reserve battalion 8023, operating in dozens of different villages day and night.
Thus far, they have scanned over 2,000 locations, arrested and detained more than 60 suspects, and interrogated dozens more. On these occasions, they confiscated a large amount of weaponry: 3 lathes for weapon production in the home of a terrorist who was identified as a munition manufacturer, firearms, military equipment, incitement materials, and dozens of stolen vehicles.
A significant event in the brigade occurred last Thursday, when reservists from battalions 5037 and 8023 thwarted a combined ramming and shooting attack at the Tapuah Junction. Thanks to the swift response of these soldiers, some of whom had just entered operational duty and others who had just finished it, the two terrorists were neutralized with no casualties to our forces. That night, various security forces entered the village from which the terrorists came to locate and interrogate additional suspects related to the incident.
“Since the start of Operation ‘Lion’s Roar,’ we have tripled our offensive activity,” said the Commander of the Samaria Brigade, Colonel Ariel Gonen. “Concurrently, we have reinforced the defense forces operating day and night in communities and on routes to ensure the safety of residents and maintain daily life.”
Ephraim
Prominent locations: Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Dir al-Ghusun, Bidya, and Qarawat Bani Hassan
Since the start of Operation ‘Lion’s Roar,’ the Ephraim Regional Brigade was also operationally busy. In a widespread operation, over 40 suspects were arrested, along with the confiscation of 8 improvised weapons and a ready-to-use explosive device.
During the operation, 5 battalions and Border Police forces conducted a large operation in the Qalqilya area and the villages of Bidya and Qarawat Bani Hassan, where they scanned hundreds of locations and confiscated incitement materials and various weapons: hunting rifles, airsoft pistols, ammunition, and additional military equipment. The operation was accompanied by illumination mortar fire from a combat helicopter.
Additionally, Duvdevan unit fighters operated in the area of the village of Dir al-Ghusun, arresting two wanted individuals who were planning to carry out an attack.
In light of the situation, the brigade forces also practiced a scenario of a missile falling on the community of Elkana, in cooperation with the local authority, the police, fire and rescue services, Magen David Adom, and the community defense department.
Etzion
Prominent locations: Bethlehem, Al-Khader, Surif, and Beit Fajjar
In the past two weeks, the regional brigade launched four brigade-level operations and several battalion-level operations. The results speak for themselves: over 500 targets were scanned in villages, where approximately 600 offensive actions were carried out and 50 arrests of suspects involved in terrorist activity were made.
And as befits the situation, a destruction zone exercise was also held in this sector to increase the readiness of soldiers and various organizations for such a scenario.
Binyamin
Prominent locations: Route 443 and 6 surrounding villages, Qalandiya, and Beitunia
Since the start of the operation, the brigade forces, in cooperation with the Border Police and the Shin Bet, completed 3 days of brigade-level operations in the Route 443 area, raiding six villages simultaneously. The route in question connects Lod and Modi’in-Maccabim-Re’ut to Jerusalem and is a major transportation artery in the area.
The operation also led to the arrest of a terrorist cell that had previously carried out a stone-throwing attack on the road. This was done concurrently with location searches, confiscation of terror funds, and interrogations of suspects. More than 75 arrests were made in total, in two main waves.
The forces have not rested since, completing further extensive operations in Qalandiya, Al-Amri, and Beitunia. These included weapons searches, confiscation of daggers, knives, ammunition, and weapons including M16s and pistols. Concurrently with the activity in Qalandiya, two terrorists were arrested who had previously thrown Molotov cocktails towards the community of Beit El.
Jordan Valley and Valleys
Prominent locations: The eastern sector and the city of Jericho
With the start of ‘Lion’s Roar,’ the brigade on the eastern border split into two – the Valleys in the northern part were taken over by Brigade 551, while the Jordan Valley, the southern part of the sector, remained under the responsibility of the regional brigade. Both were reinforced with battalions, the Eitan company, and an artillery battalion from 282 deployed across the entire sector.
And indeed, here too, offensive activity continues: on the first night of the operation, Border Police forces under the brigade’s command operated in Jericho and arrested a terrorist cell that was planning an imminent attack. Ultimately, it is still the month of Ramadan – and the brigade is operating with intensity, while allowing for the observance of religious rituals.
Judea
Prominent locations: Hebron, Dahariya, and Adna
With the opening ‘roar’ on Saturday, three reinforcing battalions were deployed to the sector. Since then, they have occupied 2 areas and are conducting nightly offensive operations in Hebron, Dahariya, Adna, Beit Kahil, and other villages.
Every Friday, and in the shadow of the war, the forces secure the Cave of the Patriarchs to allow Ramadan prayers to proceed as usual – all in accordance with Home Front Command directives, of course.
Menashe
Prominent locations: Jenin, the seam line area
The brigade forces are currently carrying out dozens of arrests of terrorists involved in the production and operation of explosives, and activists inciting against the state and encouraging terrorism. Last week, for example, the brigade’s engineering battalions ‘reshaped’ the seam line (the area separating Israeli territory from Palestinian Authority areas) – clearing hundreds of dunams of obstacles that could also serve as hiding places for attackers and infiltrators.
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