The IDF said on Monday that its forces were actively pursuing stone throwers during West Bank raids, which has led to the reduction in the number of incidents.
Colonel Tomer Sayag, who commands an infantry unit currently stationed in the southern West Bank, said most stone-throwing attacks are directed at troops and the perpetrators are often nabbed during overnight operations.
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IDF soldiers arrest stoning suspect in the West Bank
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
The raids are part of anti-terrorism campaign in the West Bank, dubbed Break the Wave, which began following a deadly wave of Palestinian attacks over the past spring.
A fortnight ago, troops which included special forces, entered a village at 2am, and by 3am had arrested 21 people believed to be behind the organization of most stone-throwing attacks in the area.
"The average age of suspects was between 24 and 27, and only one underage suspect was detained," Sayag said.
"Such a raid causes shock in the village," he said. "Most are not affiliated with any of the terror organizations. They are young people looking for conflict, often not out of ideology. They organize over Telegram [messaging app], setting out to cause chaos," he said.
The military commander said the raids, conducted with the cooperation of the Shin Bet, are aimed at arresting organizers of violent events. "We've come down in the number of stone-throwing incidents, from dozens per night just a few weeks ago, to under 10 now," he said.
"Our goal is to settle the score with those attacking our troops with stones," he said. "We cannot allow these young people to believe that they would be able to avoid arrest," he said.
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