Yafia resident faces indictment for social media praise of terror leaders
A man from the West Bank village of Yafia is set to be charged with incitement after posting tributes to assassinated Hamas leaders and calling for continued conflict with Israel.
By Vanessa Lopez ·
The Northern District Attorney's Office is preparing to file an indictment against a resident of the West Bank village of Yafia. The man, who was taken into custody on October 26, is suspected of publishing inciting content on his personal social media accounts. The investigation began after Israel Police received a report detailing posts that praised leaders of terrorist organizations and urged for sustained fighting against Israel.
Police officials stated that the suspect is expected to stand trial for incitement to racism and for publishing a direct call to commit an act of terrorism, among other offenses. The evidence against him includes tributes to Yahya Sinwar, the late Hamas leader, and Ahmed Yassin, the founder of the terror group. Both men were previously assassinated by the Israel Defense Forces.
The posts in question featured calls for continued fighting and jihad against the state. Additionally, the suspect shared statements praising terrorists who had carried out attacks against both civilians and security forces. In one specific instance, the man reshared a Hamas publication on the anniversary of the deaths of Maj. Yaniv Kula and St.-Sgt. Itay Yavetz. These soldiers were killed in October 2025 during a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Since his arrest in late October, the court has extended the suspect's detention on multiple occasions. Prosecutors are expected to request that he remain in custody until all legal proceedings are concluded once the formal indictment is filed this Friday.
In a separate development later on Friday, the IDF announced the results of a week-long crackdown against potential terror activity in the West Bank. The military stated that it had arrested over 55 wanted suspects during dozens of operations across the region.
The individuals detained during these raids included members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as people suspected of plotting terror attacks. The IDF also identified inciters and a suspect involved in throwing Molotov cocktails. During the operations, security forces confiscated various weapons, including rifles and airsoft guns.
The military also demolished several memorials in the West Bank that were deemed to glorify and incite terror. These structures included tributes to leaders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as other prominent terrorists.
On Thursday, a different incident occurred near the town of Jiftlik in the West Bank. Officers from the Jordan Valley Police Station and Border Police forces stopped a young Palestinian man who was walking in the area wearing military boots. When questioned, the man initially claimed the boots belonged to his son but later admitted to having additional military equipment at his home.
Following this statement, forces searched his residence and discovered an airsoft pistol, knives, and other military items. The most significant find was a military map of the area surrounding the Gaza Strip, which police classified as secret. The suspect, a man in his 20s, was taken to the Jordan Valley Police Station for interrogation.
After his questioning, the man was placed in custody. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his possession of the classified map and the other military equipment found in his home.
