An assessment published by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) this week points to a sharp reduction in Palestinian-perpetrated terrorist activity across the West Bank in 2025. The IDF attributed the decline to sustained counterterrorism operations in the territory throughout last year. However, despite the figures, there are signs that West Bank terrorist organizations are attempting to renew their efforts.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad issued a statement detailing its activities in the West Bank in recent days. The release follows an increase in the terror group’s activity in the territory over the past few months, including the deaths of nine of its members in separate incidents involving the IDF in November.
The recent arrest of four East Jerusalem residents for their ties to the Islamic State reflects a rise in terrorism cases linked to the jihadist group in the West Bank and Israel. Israeli authorities have noted the trend and point to online radicalization as a factor in this emerging pattern.
Mounting evidence suggests that Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) is becoming more active in the West Bank following extensive Israeli military operations in the territory that began earlier this year. Claims of attacks by PIJ, the killing of its members in counter-terrorism operations, and other evidence point to the group attempting a resurgence.
Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s branch in the West Bank announced the death of two fighters in the northern West Bank following clashes with Israeli forces. Both members, a commander and a regular fighter, were allegedly planning to carry out a terrorist attack, according to the Israeli military.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and other security personnel conducted an operation in the West Bank city of Ramallah to seize funds destined for Hamas. The effort was linked to a broader military campaign that began earlier this year, targeting Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist organizations.
Following a five-month manhunt, Israeli authorities said they located and apprehended the suspect behind a series of bus bombings in central Israel earlier this year. Authorities did not detail if the individual had ties to specific terrorist groups, though there are indications the bombings were connected to a Hamas branch in the West Bank
Security forces of the new Syrian transitional government in Damascus detained two Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members, according to various media reports. The two arrested PIJ members are Khaled Khaled, who is in charge of the group’s operations in Syria, and Yasser al Zafari, who is described as heading PIJ’s organizational committee. Saraya al Quds, the military wing of PIJ, called for the men to be released.
West Bank terrorist groups have issued statements, videos, and death notices following the start of a broad operation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the West Bank.
Israeli forces located and killed Muhammad Nazzal and Katiba Shalabi, both of whom were affiliated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and wanted for the murder of three Israelis in the West Bank on January 6.
West Bank terrorist groups are a persistent and evolving security challenge for Israel and the Palestinian Authority. These groups’ numbers, arsenals, and capabilities have expanded dramatically since an initial surge of terrorist activity in June 2021.
FDD’s Long War Journal has identified 26 West Bank branches belonging to established terrorist organizations and two independent armed groups, mapped and detailed on an interactive visual.
The Israeli military launched an extensive operation in the West Bank on Tuesday aimed at degrading infrastructure established by terrorist groups in the territory.
Israel is waging a campaign of targeted eliminations against members of various terrorist groups who are orchestrating violence in the West Bank.
Israeli forces operating in the northern West Bank city of Qabatiya killed two members of Islamic Jihad’s branch in Jenin.
Three years into the uptick of violence in the West Bank, Palestinian terrorist groups continue to operate against Israeli targets and are growing more sophisticated.
Bill and Joe discuss stats released this week by the IDF pertaining to its operations in Gaza and why escalation at Israel’s northern border with Lebanon is “just a matter of time.”
The Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi HaLevi discussed the likelihood for escalation in northern Israel amid continued Hezbollah attacks. As Israel’s 36th division is ending its deployment in Gaza, two airstrikes targeted terrorist cells in the West Bank.
Salih al-Aruri is the first major Hamas political or military leader killed since Hamas and its terrorist allies launched the Oct. 7 rampage on southern Israel.
Hamas has yet to employ a game changing weapon in this current conflict and that is conflict at the Al Aqsa Mosque.
A terror attack in Jerusalem left three dead and a dozen wounded on November 30. A second attack in the West Bank wounded Israeli soldiers. A UAV was intercepted from Lebanon. Israel awaited another group of hostages and bodies returned from Gaza as the ceasefire was extended for a day. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel and met with officials.
Israel and Hamas extended a pause in fighting in Gaza for several more days as Hamas continues to obfuscate about the groups holding hostages in Gaza. Israel’s Chief of Staff travelled to the northern border with Lebanon to meet with IDF troops. The IDF demolished the home of a terrorist in the West Bank.
Despite the largest Israeli military operation in the West Bank since the Second Intifada, the state of the West Bank remains in question.
A surge in West Bank violence is more than two years old and there are no signs that it will cease anytime soon.
To unpack and assess the latest terror threats faced by Israel, Bill had to call in the experts: Dr. Jonathan Schanzer and Joe Truzman.
If you’d like to dig deeper on the topics discussed in this episode, we recommend you check out Joe’s project on mapping terrorism in the West Bank and Jon’s book “Gaza Conflict 2021: Hamas, Israel and Eleven Days of War” which according to LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster: “If you want to understand the hell in a very small place that is Gaza, read this book.”
The Israeli military suspects Hezbollah is behind a bombing in northern Israel that injured an Israeli driver.
Hamas and other aligned Palestinian militant organizations have taken advantage of social media to spread propaganda to supporters.
Israel’s security agency revealed on Wednesday that it thwarted another operation by Hamas in Gaza to recruit Palestinians living in the West Bank.
After a brief lull in violence during the month of November, West Bank militant groups have increasingly carried out attacks against IDF troops and Israeli settlements in recent weeks.
In recent days, Israeli operations have targeted key members of the nascent Nablus-based Lions’ Den organization.