WATCH: IDF eliminates 15 terrorists, arrests 40 in Jenin operation

IDF soldiers operating in Jenin. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

The IDF and ISA announced today (Monday) that security forces have killed 15 terrorists and arrested 40 during the ongoing operation in Jenin, along with large numbers of weapons confiscated.

Security forces have been operating in recent days in the Jenin area in a counter-terrorism operation. So far, the forces have eliminated more than 15 terrorists, arrested more than 40 wanted individuals, and confiscated dozens of weapons.

During the operation, commando fighters located an explosive device inside a washing machine in one of the buildings in Jenin and destroyed dozens of explosive devices that were planted along routes to harm Israeli forces.

In another operation, an observation command post was located containing gas cylinders intended for preparing explosive devices. Security forces will continue their counter-terrorism activities throughout Judea and Samaria while maintaining the security of Israeli citizens.

Watch:

IDF soldiers operating in Jenin. (Source: IDF Spokesperson)

The IDF has expanded its anti-terrorism operations to Tulkarm and even eliminated the Hamas leader in that area in an air strike.

In response to a parliamentary question, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that he expected the operation in Jenin would become a model for similar operations throughout Judea and Samaria, and would not be a one-time affair.

He also said that the IDF had learned its lessons from Gaza and elsewhere that merely "mowing the grass" by weakening, but not destroying terrorist forces with military operations was insufficient, and that the IDF needed to utterly extirpate a terrorist presence in a given area.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when declaring Operation Iron Wall, stated that Israel will be attacking the Iranian axis wherever it presents itself - in Judea and Samaria, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, or elsewhere.

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich said that one of the reasons he opposed the hostage deal was that the constituency he represents - hundreds of thousands of settlers in Judea and Samaria - would be the first to be hurt by the release of hundreds of terrorists into the area.