Palestinian Militants Use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s): A New Menace for Israel

1. Summary: Two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were used to target Israeli armored army vehicles today, May 22, 2024. These are the latest of sixty similar attacks that have been recorded over the past twelve months. Palestinian militants are reported to have been taught the IED technology by Iranian operatives in third countries. Despite the growing concern about IEDs, a top Israeli military source confirmed to JaFaJ that the Palestinian militants have not been able to use those effectively. At the same time, with limited geographic areas and access to resources, American sources do not believe the Palestinians will be able to expand IED attacks. Nonetheless, IEDs remain a concern for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

2. JaFaJ has learned that two Israeli armored vehicles were targeted today, May 22, 2024, by Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) in the West Bank’s Jenin Refugee Camp. [COMMENT: The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has been making consistent incursions into identified “hot spots” in the West Bank since the breakout of the Gaza war. The Israeli incursions have been recurring at the Jenin, Balta and Tulkarem refugee camps where Palestinian militants run rampant. END COMMENT]

3. JaFaJ has confirmed that today’s IED attacks are the latest in more than sixty similar attacks that have taken place over the past year. JaFaJ was told by an Israeli intelligence source that the Iranians taught IED technology to Palestinian militants back in 2023. The source added, “A group of low profile Palestinian militants travelled to Jordan where they were welcomed/received by their Palestinian and Jordanian handlers. Once there, they arranged flights to a third undisclosed country, in which they met the Iranians who trained them on how to make and deploy the devices, including how to deliver the highest amount of damage to Israeli military vehicles”. The source reported that the first IED attacks began in Jenin refugee camp in the spring of 2023 and concluded by saying that “It came as a surprise as the IED method was rather uncommon in the [Palestinian] territories”.

4. A high ranking Israeli military source reported to JaFaJ that, “We are aware of the risks IEDs pose to our troops, and the terrorists have not been the most effective at using them. Overall, the damages have been minimal and have mainly destroyed the vehicle’s wheels”. The source continued by saying that “they can damage vehicles, but rarely do they injure our soldiers inside those”. The source concluded, “Yes, it is a risk, but we have dealt with much bigger risks before”.

5.JaFaJ has also learned that the IDF has been using drones and “undisclosed technology” to stop the Palestinian militants from using IEDs against Israeli foot soldiers in Palestinian hot spots. An American military source told JaFaJ that, “The Israelis are exceptionally good at using drones for reconnaissance and have been deploying those very effectively in Gaza. The source continued by saying that the Israelis have “learned from our Iraq experience where IEDs were averaging thirty a day against our troops”. He added, “I understand that the Israelis may be concerned about the potential expansion of IED use against them, but because of the condensed geographic area of their adversaries [the Palestinians] and their limited access to resources, they will not be able to deploy enough IEDs, soon enough, to change the outcome of their confrontations.”