The IDF on Wednesday began an extensive ground operation against terrorist nests in Jenin and Tulkarm in northern Samaria.
This operation, called Operation Summer Camps, is the largest that has been carried out in Judea and Samaria since Operation Protective Shield in 2002 (during the second Intifada) which broke the terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria. The current operation is being carried out by a division-size force, with some of the fighters arriving in the targeted areas in helicopters. Covert forces are also involved in the operation and various “fraudulent methods” are being used to mislead the enemy. Heavy exchanges of fire erupted with the arrival of the fighters at every location.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz tweeted Wednesday morning: “Iran is working to establish an eastern terrorist front against Israel in the Judea and Samaria, according to the Gaza and Lebanon model, by financing and arming terrorists and smuggling advanced weapons from Jordan.”
It’s critical that this military operation is being carried out. Due to Iran’s ongoing efforts via proxies to destroy Israel, it is believed to have been weeks away from being able to launch suicide attacks inside Israel, like those seen in the Second Intifada (buses, cafes, etc.). Operation Summer Camps was designed to prevent a repeat of that level of horrific terror attack.