‘Terror Nests Will Be Eliminated,’ Netanyahu Says of Samaria

In the wake of a devastating terrorist attack that left six Israeli civilians dead and several more wounded in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed decisive and expanded military action to root out terrorism in Judea and Samaria.

During a high-level visit to the Israeli Air Force command center in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu did not mince words. “That we eliminated these two terrorists is not enough,” he said firmly. “That we will go after their supporters and accomplices is also not enough. My directive is to forcefully go after the nests of terrorism.”

The prime minister’s comments follow Monday’s attack in the Ramot neighborhood of northern Jerusalem, where two Palestinian terrorists, Mohammad Taha and Muthanna Amro, opened fire before being neutralized by an IDF soldier and an armed civilian. The assailants, who murdered six and injured many more, have since been hailed by Hamas as “resistance fighters” in a statement celebrating the massacre.

Netanyahu highlighted ongoing military operations already making significant headway. “We simply evacuated the population from there and flattened all terrorist infrastructure,” he said, referencing the IDF's “Operation Iron Wall” that has been active in northern Samaria since January. “My directive is to do this in additional terrorist nests.”

Backing the prime minister’s firm stance, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir confirmed a total lockdown of the terrorists’ home region. “We will pursue terrorist cells everywhere,” he said. “We will thwart terrorist infrastructure and its organizers with determined and continuous operational and intelligence efforts.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz also announced civilian sanctions targeting the terrorists' families and their villages. These include the demolition of all illegal structures and the revocation of 750 permits to cross into pre-1967 Israel. Katz’s move came on the recommendation of COGAT head Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian.

On Tuesday morning, the IDF launched expanded operations across Judea and Samaria, executing broad searches and mapping out the homes of the attackers in Qatanna and Al-Qubeiba in preparation for potential demolition. The military’s Binyamin Brigade led these targeted maneuvers as part of a growing campaign to neutralize terror infrastructure at its roots.

The message from Israel's leadership is crystal clear acts of terror will be met with powerful and proactive measures. While terror groups like Hamas seek to inflame tensions and glorify violence, Israel remains focused on securing its people and dismantling threats with resolve and precision.

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