Israel’s Security Agency Thwarted 40% More Terror Attacks in 2024

Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services, speaks during a conference at Reichman University in Herzliya, September 11, 2022. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90 Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90

Most of the foiled attacks involved firearms (689) and explosive devices (326), with the others being stabbings, car-rammings, suicide bombings, and abductions.

By JNS Staff

The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) thwarted 1,040 significant terrorist attacks in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem in 2024, according to the agency’s annual report published on Tuesday.

This represents a 40% reduction in successful terrorist attacks compared to the previous year.

Most of the foiled attacks involved firearms (689) and explosive devices (326), with the others being stabbings, car-rammings, suicide bombings and abductions.

In the Gaza Strip, 2,500 suspects were evaluated, with 650 eventually interrogated, leading to actionable intelligence. A total of 1,350 individuals were detained, including 40 senior commanders, 165 close associates of top officials and 45 participants in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel.

Three hostage-rescue missions and several body-recovery operations were conducted during the course of the war in Gaza. The Shin Bet shared audio recordings from the extraction of Ori Megidish on Oct. 30, 2023 and the rescue of Louis Har and Fernando Marman on Feb. 12, 2024.

Inside Israel’s pre-1967 borders, 20 terror cells involving Arab Israelis were uncovered, with five planning attacks using car bombs or other explosives. The “Tequila” rapid intervention counter-terror force was dispatched 32 times to prevent imminent attacks.

In Lebanon, 25 senior commanders from Palestinian terror groups were eliminated, including members of Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

In countering the Iranian threat, there was a 400% rise in espionage-related arrests, 13 plots foiled and 27 indictments.

On the cyber-defense front, there were 700 major cyberattacks thwarted, a five-fold increase from 2023.

The report also detailed international missions providing security for high-profile events, such as the Olympics in Paris and Eurovision in Malmo. It noted challenges, including cyber threats and Iranian infiltration attempts.