Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned on Saturday that the country could face “many more” attempted terrorist attacks in the near future, after troops killed three Palestinian gunmen who were said to be on their way to launch an attack in Israel.
“We are in the midst of a concerted effort by all security forces to halt the wave of recent attacks and restore security to Israeli citizens,” Bennett said in a video statement along with Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and his military secretary, Avi Gil, of a meeting with Top officials at Security Agency headquarters.
Referring to the overnight raid that killed three Islamic Jihad operatives, Bennett said security forces “thwarted a ticking time bomb.” Officials said the cell planned to enter Israel from the West Bank and carry out a gun attack.
“We certainly anticipate that there will be many more attempts, and we are working to prevent them,” Bennett said. “Our people are acting with great courage 24/7 in a hostile and violent environment, and I wish to extend a speedy recovery to those injured in the operation.”
Speaking of an elite officer seriously injured in the operation, Bennett said, “He is one of the best field commanders in the State of Israel.” Chief Superintendent S. is said to have played a key role in several deadly counter-terrorism operations and arrests of “prominent terrorists” over the past 20 years to have.
Get the daily Times of Israel by email and never miss our headlines again
By registering you agree to the terms
A string of deadly terrorist attacks killed 11 people in a week in Israel, including a shooting that killed five on Tuesday, putting Israeli security forces on high alert. The escalation came at the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – often a time of high tension in Israel and the West Bank.
IDF soldiers can be seen in the West Bank in an image released by the military on April 2, 2022. (Israel Defense Forces)
Noting the increased deployment of security forces in Israeli cities, Bennett said the goal is to allow citizens to go about their normal lives.
“Terror is not new. One time it’s Hamas, one time it’s Islamic Jihad, this time there’s some involvement from Daesh,” he said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Two of the most recent attacks have involved Arab Israelis with ties to the Islamic State. “We will get through this difficult time,” he said.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Benny Gantz Gantz conducted a security assessment with Bar, military chief Aviv Kohavi and other senior security officials following the night’s shooting near Jenin.
Secretary of Defense Benny Gantz tours a lookout point in the West Bank on April 1, 2022. (Ariel Hermoni/Department of Defense)
Gantz praised the soldiers involved in the raid, including those injured.
“We continue to work around the clock… to protect Israeli citizens,” he said.
Israeli officials have sought to defuse tensions ahead of Ramadan amid fears the violence could spark the same type of unrest that rocked Israel in May 2021, when Hamas began firing rockets at Israel, sparking an 11-day war with Gaza and days after sparked unrest between Arabs and Jews in Israel.
Do you appreciate The Times of Israel?
Then we have a request.
Every day our journalists want to update you on the most important developments that deserve your attention. Millions of people rely on ToI for fast, fair, and free coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
We care about Israel – and we know you do too. So today we have a request: Show your appreciation for our work by showing us Join the Times of Israel Communityan exclusive group for readers like you who appreciate and support our work financially.
Yes, I give Yes, I give Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You are an engaged reader
That’s why we launched the Times of Israel ten years ago, to provide discerning readers like you with essential coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news agencies, we have not set up a paywall. However, as the journalism we do is expensive, we invite readers who have found The Times of Israel important to support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For just $6 a month, you can support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREEas well as access exclusive content only available to members of the Times of Israel Community.
Thanks,
David Horovitz, founding editor of the Times of Israel
Join our community Join our community Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this