Israel’s Shin Bet, the 5,000-strong security police, announced on Tuesday that its security forces have prevented more than 200 terror attacks since the beginning of 2023. Palestinian terror attacks in recent months have left 15 Israelis dead and several others seriously injured.
Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar says that in the first quarter alone, more than 200 significant attacks have been prevented, including 150 shootings, 20 bombings, kidnappings, and other planned acts. Israel’s anti-terrorism task force has been called in 14 times.
Netanyahu promised that “eventually we will get all the terrorists” and said that “Iran is responsible for 95 per cent of the security threats against us”.
At least 86 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the year, most of them while carrying out attacks or during clashes with security forces, although some were innocent civilians and others were killed in circumstances that are under investigation, according to the Times of Israel.
Settler violence against Palestinians has also increased in recent months. The paper also writes that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan (which ends on 21 April) is often marked by increased Israeli-Palestinian tensions. Tensions between the two countries are particularly high after a period of deadly violence.