The IDF, Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and Israel Border Police killed three terrorists and arrested over 50 in Tulkarm in recent days as part of the operation to thwart terrorism in the West Bank, the military said on Monday.
In addition, IDF forces found an explosive manufacturing facility and destroyed approximately 45 explosive devices that were planted on roads which were intended to cause harm.
Eitan vehicles
For the first time, IDF troops are conducting operations in the West Bank being transported by Eitan partially armored vehicles.
The Eitan vehicles are still not as well armored as the seemingly nearly unstoppable Namer vehicles, which sometimes got hit by 5-7 rockets and kept moving, but are much better protected than the vehicles the IDF has used in the West Bank to date.
More specifically, the Bislach Unit has moved into northern West Bank villages using the Eitan vehicles.
The use of Eitan’s is only a partial paradigm shift as other vehicles will still be used, but they will be employed for rescue operations and other complex tasks.
Using the Eitan vehicles is a force-multiplier for the IDF and provides another manifestation of the power that the military says it is unleashing in the northern West Bank.