Jenin cell built rockets

Israeli security forces dismantled a network in the Jenin area that allegedly manufactured rockets and explosives for launch at Israel. The Shin Bet and Israel Police announced the arrests on Tuesday, citing evidence of at least three successful launch tests conducted by the cell.

The investigation identified a group of six suspects from the northern West Bank. The main suspect confessed to establishing the cell and named the other members. He stated that the tests showed the rockets had sufficient power and range. The group reportedly refined the designs after each test to improve performance.

Police seized an assortment of weapons, including an assault rifle and an RPG. Investigators also collected written materials containing instructions for building explosives and rockets. The documents were described as intended for use against the State of Israel and its security forces. Prosecutors plan to file indictments against the six individuals in the coming days.

The cell received technical guidance via a messaging app from an outside source who was in contact with the main suspect. The information covered materials needed for manufacturing explosives. One other suspect admitted to helping the group obtain the necessary components.

In a separate incident in the same region, Border Police officers arrested a wanted man and a second suspect in the village of Kafr Dan. The raid took place on Monday, with arrests confirmed on Tuesday. The wanted man, affiliated with Fatah, had been hiding for an extended period while maintaining ties to terror activity.

Undercover officers surrounded a clothing store in Kafr Dan where the suspect was allegedly hiding. The man exited the building with his hands raised and surrendered. Police detained the store owner on suspicion of helping hide the wanted individual.

Settler violence in the West Bank has increased this year. In the South Hebron Hills, settlers set fire to two vehicles and part of an unoccupied building overnight. They sprayed Hebrew graffiti on the building that read, "Evictions = chaos." Similar fires occurred in the village of Majdal Bani Fadil in the Nablus area. No injuries were reported in these incidents.

The surge in violence has drawn international criticism ahead of last week's inconclusive election. Neither the coalition under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor the opposition bloc has a clear path to forming a government. Netanyahu has dismissed the violence as the work of a few delinquents, while critics argue the government condones the attacks. Dozens of Palestinian families have been displaced.