IDF commandos: Israel not equipped to handle Iranian-funded explosives

Following recent use of IEDs in attacks, most notably in a blast near Joseph’s Tomb, commandos warned it “will only get worse” in the West Bank.

AMIR BOHBOT/WALLA!SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 10:33SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 11:00

 Smoke billows from the aftermath of the detonation of a Palestinian explosive charge on an Israeli armoured vehicle during an Israeli army raid in Jenin in the West Bank on June 19, 2023. (photo credit: JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)
Smoke billows from the aftermath of the detonation of a Palestinian explosive charge on an Israeli armoured vehicle during an Israeli army raid in Jenin in the West Bank on June 19, 2023.
(photo credit: JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli military commandos warned on Sunday morning that the IDF’s armored vehicles are not equipped to deal with terror attacks carried out using improvised explosive devices (IED), which are thought to be funded and supplied to the West Bank by Iran.

Following recent use of IEDs in attacks, most notably in a blast near Joseph’s Tomb where an IDF officer and three soldiers were wounded last week, the commandos warned that “it is clear to all of us where this is going.

“It will only get worse.”

IDF commandos lament lack of armored vehicles

The commandos lamented the lack of armored vehicles available for operations in the West Bank. “Everybody has seen the explosive terror labs uncovered in the Jenin operation.

The IDF destroys a lab used by Palestinian terrorists to make explosives on August 16, 2023 (IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)

“On one hand, we’re talking about an increased amount of explosives, a situation which urges caution. On the other, there is an issue with the availability of armored jeeps, this is felt on our way to our targets and by the targets.”

IDF denies reports

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit rejected the claims on Sunday, stressing that “there is no shortage of armored vehicles.

“The vehicles are under continued maintenance in order to ensure their operational capacity remains at a high level.”

The IDF also hit back at accusations that Israeli forces secured Joseph’s Tomb by foot last week due to this perceived lack of vehicles, writing that the claim is “incorrect.”

The Israeli forces were wounded when an explosive device struck their armored vehicle.

Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-757364.

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