Author: AFSI Staff

The Shin Bet (ISA) thwarted a major bomb attack planned against IDF forces operating in Judea and Samaria, the Shin Bet and the IDF announced on Tuesday evening.

Over the past month, in a joint operation by the Shin Bet, the IDF, and YAMAM, several terrorist cells from Qabatia, near Jenin who were planning to carry out significant attacks in the near future were arrested.

On January 11, Shin Bet, YAMAM and IDF soldiers from the Samaria Brigade arrested Ahmed Ali Zakharna and Tarek Abu Zeid in Shechem (Nablus), while they were traveling to carry out a shooting attack in Huwara. They were found in possession of two M16 assault rifles.

During their interrogation, it emerged that the two were acting on behalf of terrorist operatives from the Jenin Battalion and received from them a 100-kg explosive device which was intended to be used in a bombing attack against IDF forces.

“Israeli security forces continue their counterterrorism activities to thwart terror throughout Judea and Samaria, and to maintain the safety of the citizens of Israel,” the military stated.

Source:
Miracle in Samaria: Major bomb attack against security forces thwarted, by Uzi Baruch/Israel National News, February 25, 2025

The extent to which Israel is ruled by unelected “deep state” officials is difficult to convey to outsiders. It sounds too fantastic. So fantastic in fact, that it may be best described as “legal surrealism.”

Our rulers sound like they speak the language of politics and law, but much of what they say makes no sense at all. Consider the case of Benjamin Netanyahu’s testimony in his own trial.

Though Israel is in a state of war on several fronts, the judges presiding in that trial are forcing him to testify three days a week, every week, because, they have argued, it is “in the public interest” to bring the trial to a speedy conclusion. So, determining the exact number of cigars that Mr. Netanyahu received as gifts from friends has come to take precedence over his running of the war.

Amid the upheaval of the current war and the urgent hostage crisis we thought it important to remember that judicial reforms in Israel are crucial. Once the war broke out after October 7, judicial reforms fell by the wayside. We pray the process gets back on track very soon.

Source:
A deep state doesn’t get any deeper than this, by Gadi Taub/JNS, February 27, 2025

The 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) passed a resolution advocating for the US to support Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.

Intense discussions were held at this year’s CPAC conference by the Yesha Council Chair and Binyamin Regional Council Governor Israel Ganz and senior CPAC figures. Also in attendance were Minister for Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli and Yesha Council CEO Omer Rahamim.

The resolution was read in front of the conference last Thursday by KT McFarland, former deputy national security advisor in US President Donald Trump’s first administration.

“We believe all these areas are integral parts of Israel, and the United States of America and her allies should recognize Israeli sovereignty over these lands,” the resolution stated.

Under President Donald J. Trump’s administration support is clearly growing to apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. The CPAC resolution brings Israel one step closer to this goal. Let’s get it done!

Source:
CPAC Resolution for Israel to declare sovereignty over Biblical Heartland, by Adam Eliyhau Berkowitz/Israel365News, February 24, 2025

The IDF is planning an engineering operation to construct access roads for military vehicles within terror strongholds in northern Samaria, News14 reported Monday. This initiative aims to enable swift movement across these areas, mirroring the infrastructure work carried out along the Netzarim corridor in the Gaza Strip.

The project is designed to enhance the operational effectiveness of forces on the ground, drawing from past experience. In Gaza, the development of roads and infrastructure along the Netzarim corridor facilitated efficient military mobility and improved control over the region. Now, the IDF intends to apply similar strategies in northern Samaria, where terror camps continue to pose a significant security threat.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “We will not revert to the previous reality. We will continue to clear refugee camps and other terrorist hubs to dismantle the battalions and infrastructure of extremist Islam—forces that were built, armed, funded, and trained by the Iranian axis of evil to establish an eastern terrorist front against Samaria, the seam line, and Israel’s major population centers. The operation will continue until terrorism is eradicated.”

Following the outbreak of war since October 7, Israel is in her most urgent fight for survival since the inception of the State. The permanent expansion for the foreseeable future of the IDF into areas like northern Samaria clearly illustrate the pressing need to eradicate the terrorist scourge of Fatah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad from every inch of Israel.

Source:
IDF Reshaping Northern Samaria to Allow Quick Access to Terror Nests, by David Israel/Jewish Press, February 24, 2025

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Tulkarem refugee camp last Friday, following the attempted terror attacks in central Israel the previous night. Accompanied by senior military officials, Katz held a situational assessment and emphasized the importance of maintaining high-intensity operations as part of Operation “Iron Wall” to dismantle terror infrastructure.

Only a miracle happened here. At least 5 explosive devices were supposed to be detonated in a massive terrorist attack on buses throughout Israel. However, this did not occur. The terrorists thought they set the bombs to detonate at 9:00am but due to a mistake on their part the bombs blew up at 9:00pm. Thankfully, there were no injuries. Despite this miracle, it’s a clear indication of ongoing terrorist activity to destroy Israel and the IDF must ready itself in new ways to better secure this area. The release of multitudes of terrorists pursuant to the “hostage deal” is not helping the situation one iota.

Source:
Defense Minister Katz Orders Intensified Operations in Judea and Samaria After Terror Attacks, by Sveta Listratov/TP-IL, February 21, 2025

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, called on the UN to condemn the Hamas terrorist organization, after it was announced by the IDF that children Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered while captivity, and that an additional body transferred to Israel is not that of their mother, Shiri.

“The UN Secretary-General, the Security Council and the General Assembly cannot continue to remain silent in the face of Hamas’s barbarity. The State of Israel demands a clear and unequivocal condemnation of this heinous crime, and a clear and an immediate demand for the return of Shiri to her family.”

“History will remember well who stood by and remained silent while Hamas trampled on the most basic principles of humanity,” stated Danon.

Source:
Ambassador Danon: UN cannot continue to remain silent in the face of Hamas’s barbarity, February 21, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the return of the bodies of hostages Oded Lifshitz, Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and Kfir Bibas.

“My brothers and sisters, dear citizens of Israel. On this day we are all united. We are all united in unbearable grief,” Netanyahu said.

“Every home in Israel bows its head today. We bow our heads for the heavy loss of our four hostages. We all ache with a pain that is mixed with rage. We are all enraged at the monsters of Hamas,” he said.

Netanyahu continued, “The four coffins of our loved ones oblige us more than ever to promise, to swear, that what happened on October 7 will never happen again. The voice of the blood of our loved ones cries out to us from the ground. It obliges us to settle accounts with the vile murderers – and we will settle accounts with them.”

He quoted Psalm 94, Verse 1, which states, “El nekamot Hashem, El nekamot hofiya (‘G-d of vengeance, Lord G-d of vengeance, appear’).”

“Our hearts are broken, but our spirits are not broken. And with this spirit: We will return all our hostages, destroy the murderers, eliminate Hamas, and together – with God’s help – we will secure our future,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu’s words convey what is in our grieving hearts today and we mourn the loss of Oded Lifshitz, Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and Kfir Bibas. We are too angered and shattered to comment further except to say that this day is a horrifying and shameful disgrace. A 9-month-old baby had to be traded for many terrorist murderers so his pure soul could receive a proper Jewish burial in its rightful homeland.

Source:
Netanyahu: ‘The blood of our loved ones cries out to us’, by Israel National News, February 20, 2025

The Trump administration has completely halted all funding for the Palestinian Authority security forces, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing both US and PA officials.

This time, the administration’s decision comes at a crucial time as the PA is currently fighting to maintain its power and legitimacy. In December, the PA security forces launched a widespread offensive in Jenin to root out rival terror organizations.

“For years, it has been widely acknowledged that the Palestinian Authority educates, glorifies, and finances terrorism – but our recent research uncovered dozens of instances in which the PASF officers were actively engaged in murderous acts terrorism,” Regavim Director-General Meir Deutsch said in a statement.

The PA and their ruling party, Fatah showed their unity with Hamas by their presence at the “show” of handing over the remains of the murdered hostages today.

This is a long overdue development. Funds being used to drive out “rival terror organizations” is not what the money should be used for. ELIMINATING all terror and terror organizations is what the PASF should be using the funds for. Any funding to PA security forces should be for legitimate security purposes and not for perpetuating terrorist acts against the State of Israel. If they can’t do that, then all funding should cease. It’s a no brainer.

Source:
Trump Administration Freezes Funding to Palestinian Authority Security Forces, by Hana Levi Julian/Jewish Press, February 19, 2025

The renowned observation deck, known as the “Balcony of the State” in Peduel, Samaria, will be renamed in honor of President Donald J. Trump. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Samaria Council Chairman Yossi Dagan and the Peduel Village Committee, who described the move as a tribute to Trump’s unwavering support for the State of Israel.

“The Balcony of the State” is one of Israel’s most renowned and strategically significant observation points, offering a panoramic view of the entire coastal plain—from Ashkelon in the south to the chimneys of Hadera’s power plant in the north.

Chairman of the Peduel Village Committee, Itai Bracha, stated: “The Peduel community deeply values President Trump’s contributions to the State of Israel as a whole and to the settlements in Judea and Samaria in particular.”

You can bet the AFSI Chizuk Mission looks forward to visiting this site (as we have before) if not on our upcoming trip to Israel in May, certainly in the near future!

Source:
Trump’s Samaria Observation Deck Marks Israel’s Hope for Changes in Liberated Territories, by David Israel/Jewish Press, February 19, 2025

Israel’s cabinet meeting that concluded overnight Tuesday ended without an operative decision or vote, yet an Israeli source delivered a crucial message afterward: “Israel will enter negotiations for phase two of the hostage deal, while maintaining its commitment to the war’s objectives, including the elimination of Hamas in Gaza.” The cabinet authorized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to conduct negotiations for the second phase.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly emphasized that the war will not conclude until Hamas is eliminated and decisively defeated, which formed the basis for this decision.

Meanwhile, phase one of the deal continues to progress. A secret appendix to the hostage deal revealed on Tuesday indicates that within two days, four deceased hostages will be transferred to Israel.

Reports earlier today circulated like wildfire saying that a Hamas spokesman said that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas are among the deceased to be returned this Thursday, however, neither the Bibas family has received official government confirmation on this. Along with a total of four remains of deceased hostages, six living hostages will be released this Saturday which ends phase one of the ceasefire deal.

Source:
Israeli source: Hamas elimination to continue as hostage talks advance, by Ariel Kahana/Israel Hayom, February 18, 2025