Israeli intelligence officials and regional experts warn that Iran has sharply escalated its campaign to arm terrorist factions in Judea and Samaria, smuggling in advanced weaponry with the explicit goal of replicating the scale and brutality of the October 7 massacre. The regime’s objective is reportedly to transform the region into a launchpad capable of carrying out mass assaults similar to the initial Hamas assault, according to a Washington Free Beacon report.
The shift in strategy has been observed since the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, prompting Iran’s most active proxy in the area, Islamic Jihad, to reportedly make Judea and Samaria its primary operational focus. The group is now active in key cities including Hebron, Shechem (Nablus), Jenin, and Jericho, coordinating efforts with members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and local Hamas factions, a coalition totaling 28 organizations, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).
These terrorist organizations have obtained weaponry that was previously rare in Judea and Samaria, fundamentally escalating the threat. The new arsenal includes explosive-laden drones, anti-tank missiles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and advanced rockets. The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center confirmed that following the October 10 ceasefire, Hamas publicly declared that Judea and Samaria "will continue to be a leading arena of resistance." (Read More)
