Israeli security forces strike blow against terror funding in large West Bank raid
Five currency exchange offices declared terror supporters – millions of shekels confiscated
Israeli security forces carried out a large-scale operation against the funding networks of terrorism in the West Bank overnight, the IDF announced on Thursday morning.
The raids were launched after Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared five currency exchange offices as terror organizations that were transferring money to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Gaza, as well as Judea and Samaria.
These offices presented themselves as financial service providers while serving as fronts for money laundering and its transfer to terror organizations.
Israeli security forces confiscated about 10 million shekels and arrested 30 suspects during the raid of nine of the offices’ branches, including in Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, Tulkarm, Attil and Al-Bireh, Israeli security forces confiscated about 10 million shekels and arrested 30 suspects for transferring funds to terrorists.
In addition, safes, documents, recording systems and telephones were confiscated.
The operation was based on a joint investigation by the Ministry of Defense, IDF Central Command, the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, Israel Police, the Tax Authority and a number of financial law enforcement bodies.
Several of the arrested suspects were already investigated and the police asked the court to extend their detention.
During the arrest raids, an IDF aircraft struck a squad of armed terrorists in Jenin, who fired at Israeli forces. Terrorists shot at the Israeli forces and threw explosive charges, Molotov cocktails and stones at several other locations.
The IDF said Israeli forces returned fire and confirmed several hits.
According to Palestinian claims in Ramallah, the IDF killed one person and wounded 14 others during clashes. The Israeli army hasn’t commented on these reports.
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7, over 2,550 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces across Judea and Samaria, including more than 1,300 who are affiliated with Hamas.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
