The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday that they have successfully arrested a Palestinian man suspected of orchestrating the deadly January terror shooting in the West Bank village of al-Funduq that claimed three lives.
According to military officials, the suspect was apprehended during an overnight operation in the western neighborhood of Jenin, an area known as a flashpoint for armed militant activity.
The January 6 attack, which was carried out by three gunmen who have since been killed, resulted in the deaths of off-duty Israeli police officer Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein and two civilians identified as Rachel Cohen and Aliza Raiz. The shooting sent shockwaves through the region and prompted intensified Israeli security operations across the West Bank.
In a separate but concurrent operation, IDF forces also detained a five-member terror cell in the town of Qabatiya. The military reports that this group is believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) and was allegedly planning further attacks, according to preliminary intelligence assessments.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions and a string of recent confrontations between Israeli forces and militant groups in the West Bank. The IDF stated that both operations were conducted based on "precise intelligence" and that the detained suspects are currently undergoing interrogation by security agencies.
Israeli government officials have reiterated their commitment to pursuing those responsible for terror attacks and preventing future incidents, as security concerns continue to dominate the region's political landscape.
These developments occur against the backdrop of ongoing violence in the region, with both Israeli and Palestinian communities experiencing casualties in what has become one of the deadliest periods in recent years.