Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Defense Forces reported a sharp decline in Palestinian attacks in Judea and Samaria last year, while incidents of violence by extremist Jews surged, according to figures released Monday by the IDF’s Central Command.
In 2025, the IDF recorded 57 attacks by Palestinians against civilians and soldiers, resulting in 20 deaths, compared with 258 attacks and 35 deaths in 2024. Two additional soldiers were killed in an attack originating from Jordan. “Sustained offensive activity in northern Samaria refugee camps, combined with ongoing security operations, contributed to the decrease in attacks,” an IDF spokesperson said.
The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces fell to 240, down from around 500 in 2024. The military said that roughly 96 percent of those killed were involved in attacks or clashes, while about 40 percent were armed with firearms or explosives. “Fewer than 4 percent of the casualties were uninvolved civilians,” the spokesperson added. Stone-throwing and Molotov cocktail incidents also declined, from 1,230 in 2024 to 1,015 in 2025.
The IDF also noted an increase in counterterror raids targeting Palestinians. According to the figures, 3,486 Palestinians were detained in 2025, up from 2,694 in 2024, and 37 homes belonging to terrorists were demolished or sealed. The military carried out 57 airstrikes in Judea and Samaria, killing 51 suspected terrorists. Officials said Iranian-backed groups and Hamas-linked cells abroad have helped organize armed units in northern refugee camps, including Jenin and Tulkarem.
Illegal crossings into Israel remain a concern. The army reported that 8,636 Palestinians entered the country without permits last year, with just under half captured. “Between 50,000 and 70,000 Palestinians now reside illegally in Israel,” the spokesperson said. The IDF is also reviewing border security along Jordan and monitoring potential weapons-smuggling routes.
Economic conditions are further fueling tensions. Before the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, unemployment in Judea and Samaria was roughly 12–13 percent. It spiked to 35 percent during the conflict and currently stands near 30 percent, with only about 26,000 Palestinians permitted to work in Israel or Israeli communities. Military officials said expanding legal work opportunities could help ease unrest.
Looking ahead, Central Command plans to maintain a strong presence in refugee camps and critical areas, even as troop levels in Judea and Samaria are reduced from 2,064 to 1,200 in 2026 due to budget constraints. “Our aim is to neutralize terrorist networks while preventing escalation on other fronts,” said Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, head of Central Command. “We are focused on operational control, security, and stabilizing the region amid complex social and economic pressures.”
At the same time, the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) reported a sharp rise in violent acts by extremist Jews. Central Command data showed that 867 “nationalist crime” incidents occurred in 2025, an increase of 27 percent compared with 682 incidents the previous year. Severe attacks, including arson, shootings, and vehicle rammings, rose from 83 to 128 incidents.
“These acts are carried out by a small but organized group of about 300 individuals,” a senior IDF official said. “Of those, roughly 70 are considered hardcore extremists responsible for the most severe attacks.” Central Command has imposed restraining orders and house arrests on 39 of the most active extremists, with limited use of electronic monitoring.
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