Tel Aviv, Nov. 27 -- Israeli forces launched a wide counterterror operation across northern Samaria overnight, sweeping into several Palestinian towns after what the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) described as a rise in terrorist activity.

The IDF and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) said the operation was triggered by efforts by Palestinian terror groups to entrench themselves in the area, alongside an uptick in attempted attacks.

Troops moved into Tubas, Tammun, and al-Aqaba, with Palestinian media reporting a curfew, blocked roads, and bulldozers piling earth across key routes. Soldiers carried out arrests and searched for weapons. The operation is expected to last several days.

The raid comes amid continued violence since Hamas's Oct...