IDF operation in northern Samaria sees first use of airstrike in Jordan Valley, 4 IDF soldiers injured in IED explosion

20th large-scale operation in Judea & Samaria in past year as IDF fights terror

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At the conclusion of a 12-hour daylight operation by the Jordan Valley Regional Brigade on Wednesday, five terrorists, including a senior operative, were killed in an exchange of gunfire and an Israeli airstrike.

A coordinated effort by the IDF’s Duvdevan Special Forces, the Kfir Brigade, the 636th Reconnaissance Battalion, the Border Police’s Matilan counter-terrorism unit, the Prison Service’s Metzada tactical unit, and Shin Bet security resulted in a 12-hour counter-terrorism operation in the villages around Tubas, Tammun, and Far’a Camp in northern Judea and Samaria. The IDF referred to the area as the “Pentagon of Villages.”

The operation was carried out following the recent escalation of violence in the Jordan Valley and amid concerns about weapons smuggling across the border with Jordan.

There were several recent shooting attacks in the area, including one in the village of Beka’ot and a shooting attack that killed Yonatan Deutsch earlier this week.

The 12-hour operation was named "Operation Jonathan's Bow" in memory of Deutsch, who was recently released from military service and was driving along Route 90, which runs through the Jordan Valley, when he was killed.

Anas Jaramnah, a Palestinian father of two daughters from the village of Muqeible, was injured in the shooting attack that killed Deutsch. Jaramnah notified an IDF patrol of the attack when it happened.

During the operation on Wednesday, for the first time in the Jordan Valley area, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out several airstrikes in the villages of Tammun and Tubas, killing four armed terrorists.

During the initial stages of the operation, the forces carried out deceptive maneuvers to draw groups of armed terrorists into attacking Israeli positions. Once the terrorists were lured and engaged, they were involved in a firefight that included an Israeli Air Force airstrike.

IDF troops eliminated a wanted senior terrorist and exchanged fire with other terrorists in the area. Five terrorists were confirmed killed during the operation.

The forces seized five M-16 and 'Carlo' type guns, and confiscated other weapons, ammunition, and military equipment found in the area.

As part of the operation, the forces arrested three wanted persons suspected of terrorist activity who were transferred to the security forces for interrogation. The troops also discovered several improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

A 'David' type IDF vehicle ran over an IED, which resulted in two soldiers sustaining moderate injuries and two other soldiers who were lightly injured.

The operation marked the 20th large-scale operation carried out by the brigade in the past year.

A senior security official told Ynet News: “The Jordan Valley, once a quiet area, is now facing significant security challenges. The recent surge in terrorist activities, particularly the smuggling of standard weapons, poses a serious threat to the region's stability.”