Covert Operation: How Does ‘Israel’ Penetrate the Most Fortified Resistance Areas in the West Bank?

Behind those clerics, street vendors, sanitation workers, and milk distributors lie assassins from Israeli special units who clandestinely infiltrate the heavily fortified areas of the West Bank housing the resistance fighters, carrying out daylight assassination operations.

In recent months, this scene has been repeated numerous times in the West Bank, with disguised special forces targeting operatives and activists from the Jenin Brigade, the Balata Brigade, rapid response groups, the Lion’s Den, the Aqaba Jabr group, and other resistance units in the region.

 

Palestinian Features

On the morning of May 4, 2023, four men and three women walked through the alleys of the Old City in Nablus. One of them wears a cloak, carrying a prayer mat in his hand, while another holds a toolbox. Behind them, a man pulls a handcart, and the fourth person carries a bag on his shoulder, with the women in the middle.

These individuals do not attract anyone’s attention until they reach a house in the Old City, where the Aghwar operation’s shooters sought refuge. This operation, carried out on April 7, 2023, resulted in the killing of three settlers in response to the oppression of the Israeli Occupation forces against the defenders of al-Aqsa Mosque.

Upon the arrival of the special forces, they initiated an attack on the resistance fighters, triggering a fierce armed confrontation at the location. Within minutes, the Israeli Occupation forces reinforced the operation with over 200 soldiers. The operation concluded with the martyrdom of three resistance fighters after the house was bombarded with missiles.

Following the operation, the al-Qassam Brigades announced the martyrdom of their fighters Hassan Qattanani, Muath al-Masri, and Ibrahim Jaber.

The Israeli Occupation has repeatedly carried out such operations in recent months. One notable operation involved the use of an Israeli special forces unit disguised as a dairy distribution vehicle bearing the logo of a well-known local company.

This operation took place on January 26, 2023, when they stormed the city of Jenin and its refugee camp, resulting in the martyrdom of 11 Palestinians and the injury of 20 others, including four in critical condition.

Special forces elements conceal themselves within a commercial dairy truck, and after carrying out their operations, the Israeli Occupation’s armored vehicles tow the vehicle away following its malfunction during the clashes.

Hassan, a 27-year-old young man from the town of Qabatiya in Jenin, said: “The Israeli Occupation has resorted to deceitful methods to reach areas known for the presence of resistance fighters, such as Jenin camp, Yasmina neighborhood, the military camp in Nablus, and the city center of Tulkarm. They send special forces to these areas that are difficult to detect.”

He added in an interview with Al-Estiklal: “Throughout the years, we have become accustomed to the Israeli Occupation sending their forces dressed in military uniforms using military jeeps to arrest or assassinate any wanted individuals. However, in the past two years, this situation has started to change. The assassinations of resistance fighters have increased, carried out by disguised special forces.”

The Palestinian young man explained that “there are certain protected and monitored areas by resistance patrols. As soon as Israeli forces arrive, they clash with them, and at that moment, their mission fails. Therefore, the Israeli Occupation has changed its approach and relied on undercover units who disguise themselves as Palestinians. Even their vehicles bear Palestinian license plates.”

He continued: “The resistance has set up warning signals within the Jenin camp. If a special forces unit is detected, the resistance mobilizes and rushes to the positions to confront the infiltrating force. They communicate in a special and encrypted manner to pinpoint the location of the infiltration. This development in the resistance’s methods has foiled several special operations by the Israeli Occupation in Jenin.”

Hassan affirmed that “there is full cooperation between the citizens and the resistance in Jenin, Nablus, and other conflict areas. Despite the daily threats they receive from the Israeli Occupation’s intelligence and warnings that anyone harboring a pursued person in their home is putting themselves and their family at risk, and ultimately their house will be demolished.”

He added that “with the increasing assassinations and special forces operations, awareness of security among people on the streets has grown. When clashes occur, civilians refrain from photographing the resistance fighters and sharing their pictures on social media out of pride and a sense of belonging. They have come to realize that such images can provide valuable information to the Israeli Occupation forces.”

Hassan pointed out that the “Jenin camp is characterized by the highest level of coordination among factions in the West Bank. There is a Joint Operations Room that includes al-Quds Brigades, al-Qassam Brigades, Martyrs of al-Aqsa, and other resistance groups. This cooperation enhances the resilience of the resistance in the camp.”

 

Undercover Units Formation

The Israeli army uses a group of its special units to carry out assassinations in Jenin, Nablus, and other areas of the West Bank, especially the undercover units.

Members of the undercover units responsible for operating within Palestinian population centers are required to have Middle Eastern features so as not to arouse suspicion when conducting undercover operations.

This allows them to disguise themselves while carrying out their assigned tasks, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

The units rely on experts in makeup and disguise to prepare for infiltration operations by altering the appearance and clothing of their members.

The undercover units take care to disguise themselves as Palestinian traders and civilians wearing traditional clothing, and they move around in common vehicles in the West Bank.

One of these units is called Duvdevan Unit, a special unit for “counter-terrorism” under the Israeli army, consisting of personnel who carry out military and security missions, including assassinations.

Despite the “intensive” and “precise” training claimed by the Israeli Occupation forces, the unit has been discovered on several occasions and clashed with resistance fighters.

The Israeli army admitted that an officer and a soldier from the unit were injured during a military operation in the village of Burqin, south of Jenin, on September 26, 2021.

Among the units operating in the West Bank is the Yamas Unit, which is part of the Border Police. They join the army during times of war and work within the police during operations.

There is also the Metzada Unit, which is part of the Prison Authority but has been used by the Israeli army on several occasions in the West Bank.

It is one of the elite units under the Israeli army and, in addition to the tasks performed by other undercover units, it specializes in hostage rescue and liberation, pursuing fugitives from prisons, and countering released prisoners.

The Israeli army employs several other military formations within the West Bank.

According to the Israeli affairs expert, Saaed Bsharat, “the Israeli Occupation has trained and allocated multiple units for undercover operations in the West Bank, including the Duvdevan unit under the army, as well as the Yamam units in the West Bank and Jerusalem, which belong to the Border Police.

Bsharat explained to Al-Estiklal that these are special commando units operating in the West Bank, targeting Palestinian resistance fighters. Among them are units specialized in tracking down operatives deep within the Israeli Occupation entity. There are also formations of undercover agents specialized in integrating with the local population and carrying out their attacks.”

He emphasized that “the Israeli Occupation will continue its policy of assassinations, especially in the West Bank, which is witnessing an escalation in organized resistance activities.”

Bsharat added: “The Israeli Occupation no longer feels secure on the streets of the West Bank, where locally manufactured and powerful explosive devices are being detonated. There is also talk of a resurgence in attempts to launch rockets towards settlements adjacent to the West Bank, as well as the booby-trapping of drones and other threats that have emerged in recent months.”

 

A History of Criminality

Official comprehensive statistics on the operations of undercover units in Palestinian territories are not available. However, 422 assassinations of Palestinians by special units were documented between 1988 and 2004, and in 2016 alone, 780 targets of these units were documented, according to the Sanad Agency.

In turn, Mustafa al-Sawaf, an expert in Israeli affairs, said: “The Israeli Occupation uses its undercover units disguised in local attire and Palestinian vehicles to achieve the element of surprise and prevent resistance fighters from taking precautions, as happens when the army raids with military vehicles.”

Al-Sawaf explained to Al-Estiklal that “the Israeli Occupation continuously conducts security studies of the West Bank environment, identifies the locations of resistance fighters, their preparations, and assesses the level of danger posed by a direct incursion. Based on that, they decide on the execution method and the unit to carry it out.”

He pointed out that “when the Israeli Occupation sends its undercover forces to operational areas, it mobilizes its regular forces and armored vehicles near the operation site, such as city entrances. Once the operation is executed, these forces advance to secure the invading force, and helicopters are prepared to evacuate injured soldiers.”

He continued: “Since the first intifada, the Israeli Occupation has used undercover units to suppress demonstrations, with their members blending in with the crowds wearing Palestinian attire, and suddenly they start arresting, suppressing, and even killing protesters. During its Occupation of Gaza, the Israeli forces also employed an undercover unit called Shimshon to perform this role.”

Al-Sawaf emphasized that “the Israeli Occupation has developed and modified its undercover forces and their methods compared to what they were during the first and second intifadas, and their tasks have changed, especially with the recent developments in resistance activities in the West Bank.”

He affirmed that “with the increasing capabilities of the resistance in the West Bank and the growing threat to the depth of the Israeli state, the Israeli Occupation has relied on the selected unit known as Sayeret Matkal to carry out assassinations and counter operations, even though the West Bank is not its usual area of activity.”

He added: “The Sayeret Matkal unit also relies on disguise, with its members having Arab features. They are responsible for assassinations, planting surveillance devices, and tracking down operatives.”

He explained that “the Israeli Occupation produces and fortifies civilian vehicles that appear natural from the outside but are bulletproof, including their external structure and even tires. They are equipped with powerful engines and technological and intelligence devices that contribute to the execution of operations and secure the invading units.”

They “are equipped with hidden cameras that transmit live images and events directly to the headquarters of special forces and collaborating units in the operation.”

He noted that the Israeli Occupation’s “main goal is to eliminate resistance groups in the West Bank, such as the Jenin Brigade, the Black Den, and the Balata Brigade, through intensifying assassination operations and incursions, and establishing an equation that every resistance fighter’s fate is death, regardless of their location, to deter Palestinian youth from joining the ranks of resistance groups.”

Al-Sawaf affirmed that “this approach has never succeeded in curbing the determination of the Palestinian people or isolating them from their resistance. Instead, it has fueled the spirit of nationalism.”