IDF tanks entered Jenin on Sunday morning as part of Operation Iron Wall for the first time since Operation Defensive Shield in the Shomron during the Second Intifada in 2002.

The move followed the incredible neis that occurred on Thursday night when a plan for a multi-site mass terror attack in central Israel went awry after three empty booby-trapped buses in Bat Yam and Holon exploded in parking lots and two additional explosive devices were found on buses in Holon. In an open neis, no one was injured. According to media reports, the phrase “revenge from Tulkarm” was inscribed on the devices. Following the frightening incident, the IDF announced that it is deploying three additional battalions to fight terror in the Shomron.

The IDF issued a statement on Sunday morning saying that tanks will continue to be deployed in the battle against terror in the Shomron.

“IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police forces continue the operation to thwart terrorism in northern Shomron and are expanding offensive activity in the region,” the IDF states. “Forces from the Nachal Brigade and the Duvdevan unit have started operating in additional villages in the Jenin area of the Menashe Brigade. At the same time, the tank unit will operate in Jenin as part of the offensive effort. The forces continue to operate in the Jenin and Tulkarm areas.”

On Friday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu toured the Tulkarm refugee camp along with the commander of the Yehuda and Shomron division, Brig. Gen. Yaki Dolf.

“In the past year, we have significantly increased our activity: we are entering terrorist strongholds, demolishing entire streets that serve the terrorists, and their homes,” Netanyahu said. “We are eliminating terrorists and commanders. We are doing very important work against Hamas’s and other terrorist organizations’ desire to harm us. This desire has not yet ceased. What we have seen – the attempt to carry out mass attacks – is extremely serious.”

“In response, according to my directives and the directive of the Defense Minister, we have bolstered forces in Yehudah and Shomron and I also ordered additional operational activity against terrorist hotspots. I know that our heroic soldiers know how to carry out this task well.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)