Israeli security forces cracked down on Hamas terror cells operating in the Ramallah area overnight, following a spate of terrorist attacks in the area.

On Thursday, IDF Sergeant Yuval Mor-Yosef and Corporal Yosef Cohen were murdered by Arab terrorists in a shooting attack next to Givat Assaf, north of Jerusalem. Two other Israelis, including a soldier and a civilian, were seriously wounded in the attack.

Shortly afterwards, a terrorist injured one IDF soldier in a ramming attack in the Palestinian Authority-controlled town of El Bireh, near Ramallah. The terrorist was subsequently shot and killed.

On Sunday, Arab terrorists opened fire on a group of Israeli civilians waiting at a bus stop near Ofra, also in the Ramallah region, wounding seven, including a pregnant woman. Doctors were forced to perform an emergency caesarian section to deliver the child, who later died as a result of trauma suffered during the attack.

Thursday night, Israeli security officials confirmed that the Hamas terror organization was behind the deadly shooting attack near Givat Assaf as well as the attack near Ofra, adding that the Gaza-based terror group was expanding its activities in Judea and Samaria.

Late Thursday night and early Friday morning, Israeli security forces, including units from the IDF, Shin Bet internal security agency, Border Police, and Israel Police, arrested dozens of Hamas terrorists in the Ramallah area in response to the spate of Hamas attacks.

According to an IDF spokesperson, the joint operation overnight in Ramallah led to the capture of 40 terror suspects, including 37 Hamas terrorists.

“Overnight, IDF troops operated in Ramallah following yesterday's shooting attack at the Givat Assaf Junction, in which two IDF soldiers, Sergeant Yovel Mor-Yosef and Corporal Yosef Cohen were killed and a civilian and an additional IDF soldier were severely wounded,” the IDF spokesperson said.

“IDF, ISA Border Police and Israel Police forces apprehended 40 suspects wanted for their involvement in terror activities, popular terror and violent riots targeting civilians and security forces. The suspects, 37 of whom are known as Hamas operatives, were transferred to security forces for further questioning.”

“Tonight's series of apprehensions is the result of intelligence work that conducted by the ISA and the IDF. The IDF will continue operating in order to thwart terrorism and preserve security in the area.”