IDF Arrests Over 6,000 Suspected West Bank Terrorists, Shifting Focus in 2024

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that the number of suspected terrorists arrested in the West Bank has surpassed 6,000 since the start of the ongoing conflict 14 months ago. A significant shift in the nature of these arrests has been observed, with fewer Hamas affiliates being apprehended in early 2024.

At the outset of the war, the majority of arrests were of Hamas members, but by early 2024, the ratio reversed, with only about 39% of the detainees now linked to the militant group. While some of the arrested individuals still belong to other terror factions such as Islamic Jihad or the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a growing number have been local gangs and militias, not directly affiliated with larger terrorist organizations.

In recent operations, unusual arrests occurred, including more than ten suspects and the seizure of over one million NIS in terror funds. The IDF also conducted raids in the northern Samaria region and villages near the Etzion bloc, resulting in the confiscation of weapons and further arrests. These developments indicate a continued shift in the landscape of West Bank security, with the IDF increasingly focusing on a broader range of threats.

As of December 2024, Israel is holding more than 10,000 security prisoners, with the majority coming from the West Bank. This figure is the highest since the First Intifada, reflecting ongoing tensions and the IDF's strategic operations.

Despite international criticism, particularly concerning the number of administrative detainees, Israel maintains its stance on security operations in the West Bank. While the number of Palestinian fatalities in urban clashes remains a subject of debate, Israel asserts that the vast majority of deaths were of terrorists rather than civilians. On the other hand, some Israeli settlers in the West Bank criticize the IDF for not taking more aggressive action against suspected terrorists, citing an increase in attacks during the war.