A four-day counter-terror operation in Shechem (Nablus) has come to a close. Explosives and rocket labs were located and destroyed in the Shomron city.

An IDF statement reported that a weapons cache and an explosives laboratory, as well as various types of weaponry, were found and confiscated with help from the Shabak (General Security Service).

An IDF commander plans the entry points he and his soldiers will take into the narrow, winding alleys of Shechem's Casbah.

IDF soldiers are briefed on the mission and the intelligence information made available by the Shabak (GSS).

“Shechem contains some of the most advanced and dangerous terrorist infrastructures,” an IDF official told reporters. “The highest amount of terrorist attacks from Judea and Samaria originate from the Shechem region.”

The weapons cache contained materials for rocket manufacturing, explosive substances and military equipment.

Intelligence information alerts the soldiers to the fact that this bedroom is not what it seems.

Beneath the beds is a hidden entrance to a cellar.

The soldiers enter the hidden room carefully, unsure of what awaits.

A cache of weapons is found hidden.

The bomb laboratory that was discovered contained materials and chemicals used in manufacturing explosives, gunpowder, metal pellets for use as shrapnel to maximize casualties, electric cables and other materials for preparing working bombs.

In another private residence, a ready-to-use bomb-belt was discovered, along with ammunition for grenade launchers and assault rifles.

A similar hidden room in another home holds ready-to-use suicide-bomb vests.

A seemingly abandoned room below a private home is actually a rocket-manufacturing factory.

 
The rockets are being manufactured with the hope of placing central Israel and Ben Gurion airport within range.

The rockets and explosive materials are handed over to IDF sappers, who destroy them.

All of the weaponry uncovered was detonated in a controlled environment by IDF sappers. In addition, twenty-three wanted terrorists were arrested during the Shechem operation.

In two separate incidents, armed PA Arabs opened fire and hurled improvised hand grenades at IDF forces. In both incidents no injuries or damage were reported.

“The IDF is operating in order to protect the lives and ensure the security of Israeli citizens,” said a dispatch from the IDF Spokesman. “We will continue to operate against terrorist infrastructure in the Judea and Samaria region.”

(Photos: IDF Spokesman)