Police Say Jenin Cell Made a Rocket Body and Carried Out Three Test Launches

Israel Police disclosed on November 3 that a suspected cell in the Jenin area had manufactured a rocket body and explosive devices and conducted three test launches. Six residents of the area, all in their thirties, were arrested on suspicion of involvement in an infrastructure intended to produce rockets for use against Israel and its security forces, police said. The disclosure followed an investigation conducted over recent months by the Judea and Samaria District central unit and the Shin Bet. Police said weapons seized during the investigation included an M16 rifle and an RPG body. The statement described the manufacture of a rocket body and experiments, including the three test launches; it did not specify their dates or a rocket range. According to police, an external contact communicated with the principal suspect through a messaging application and supplied information about materials for manufacturing explosives. Investigators also seized written material containing instructions concerning explosives, rockets and explosive devices. The statement did not identify the contact or name a country or organization behind that communication. Police said a prosecutor's declaration had been submitted against the six suspects over the weekend, with indictments expected in the coming days. The announcement described investigative suspicions rather than convictions, and did not report that indictments had already been filed.