Judea & Samaria tensions continue: IDF declares military zone after settler attack, pursues terrorists & smugglers

The tense situation in Judea and Samaria continued over the past weekend, as the IDF declared a closed military zone following the latest alleged attack by extremist Israelis against Palestinian civilians, while combating terror and weapons smuggling in the region.

On Saturday, the IDF declared an area near the city of Bethlehem a closed military zone after violent confrontations between Jewish settlers and local Arab residents, including reports by the Palestinian Red Crescent that one man had been shot.

The military said it deployed soldiers and police officers to the area after reports of stone-throwing between Israelis and Palestinians, and gunfire directed at the Palestinians.

According to Ynet News, four Palestinians and two Israelis were wounded. The military noted that the Israelis “refused medical treatment,” in a potential hint that they belonged to radical settler groups who are hostile to the IDF.

A Palestinian terrorist hurled an iron rod into a moving car on Israel’s busy Route 5 last night. The metal bar smashed through the windshield inches from the driver’s seat — narrowly missing the Israeli woman inside, who escaped physical injury but was treated for shock. A… pic.twitter.com/ldZp5OjpRr

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) November 30, 2025

Later on Saturday, a terrorist threw an iron rod at a vehicle driving on Highway 5 near az-Zawiya in Samaria. The rod smashed through the windshield but narrowly missed the Israeli driver, who managed to escape and seek help.

She was treated for shock but suffered no physical injuries. The IDF said it sent troops to the area to conduct a manhunt for the suspect in a nearby Palestinian village.

Amid the IDF's ongoing operation in the northern West Bank, the military says soldiers located several explosive devices in Jenin.

During scans of several buildings in Jenin -- that the IDF this week said were to be demolished "for operational purposes" -- the military says… pic.twitter.com/P88EuhI9lS

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) November 29, 2025

The Israeli military also continued ongoing counterterror operations throughout the region, with a focus on northern Samaria.

In Jenin, troops prepared to demolish several buildings as part of an operation to permanently pacify the local refugee camp.

During searches of the buildings designated for demolition, paratrooper forces and combat engineering soldiers found an old explosives laboratory, ammunition, explosive devices, and additional weapons.

In the town of Tubas, IDF troops wrapped up a four-day operation after arresting some 200 suspects, according to the town mayor.

In overnight raids in the area of Barta’a area on Sunday, security forces apprehended a cell of five terrorists who intended to carry out “an imminent terror attack,” the military said.

The IDF says it foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons into Israel from Jordan earlier today, arresting one suspect in the process.

Troops of the Lions of the Jordan Battalion, alongside police officers, captured two pistols that were being smuggled over the border, in the… pic.twitter.com/M2dmRze2T3

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) November 28, 2025

In the Jordan Valley, IDF and Israel Police forces thwarted an attempted smuggling of weapons from Jordan, locating two guns on Friday.

“During the activity, IDF soldiers apprehended a suspect in the area. The suspect and weapons were transferred to the security forces for further processing,” the military said.

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