Israeli PM Naftali Bennett Warns ‘Many More’ Terror Attacks Ahead as Army Foils ‘Ticking Time Bomb’

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned the country may face “many more” attempted terror attacks in the near future, after Israel Defense Forces killed three Palestinian terrorists overnight en-route to committing an attack in Israel.

“We are in the midst of a joint effort, by all security forces, to stop the string of recent terrorist attacks and to bring back security to the citizens of Israel,” Bennett said alongside the head of the Shin Bet security agency Ron Bar.

He added that over the weekend “the police, the IDF and anti-terror units thwarted a ticking time bomb” when three Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists were killed by Israeli troops ahead of a suspected attack. Grenades and firearms were found in their vehicle.

Palestinian men check blood stains left on the ground in the area where Israeli security forces killed three Islamic Jihad militants when they came under fire, on April 2, 2022, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin. (JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Four Israeli soldiers were injured in the shootout, one in serious condition.

“We certainly assume there will be many more attempts and we are working right now to prevent them,” Bennett said. “Our people act with great bravery, around the clock, in a hostile and violent environment, and I want to send a speedy recovery to the wounded in the operation.”

The raid came amid a spate of terror attacks in Israel and the advent of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is usually a time of high tensions. Three attacks in the space of a week saw eleven people murdered and dozens more injured.

Israeli police officers carry the coffin of Israeli Arab policeman Amir Khoury, 32, one of the five people killed in a shooting attack in the religious town of Bnei Brak, during his funeral in Nazareth on March 31, 2022. (JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

“Terror is not new. Once it’s Hamas, once it’s Islamic Jihad, this time there is some involvement of Daesh,” he said, referring to the Islamic State by its Arabic acronym. Two of the recent attacks were carried out by Arab Israelis who were Islamic State sympathizers. “We will get through this difficult period,” he said.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz issued a statement Saturday evening addressing Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, saying, “We are in a difficult period of terror attacks against Israel citizens, a situation that we cannot accept. We are considering the measures we can take in honor of Ramadan in order to allow you to celebrate the holiday in the best way possible, while we at the same time maintain security.”