Jerusalem, 10 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Duvdevan special forces arrested terrorist Ismail Anqawi in Beitunia near Ramallah, after a four-day manhunt. The arrest followed precise intelligence provided by the Shin Bet, indicating that Anqawi was armed and planning to carry out a major shooting attack imminently.
Security forces located and captured him while he was still armed, and he was transferred to the Shin Bet for further questioning.
Unit 217, commonly known as Duvdevan (cherry), is a mista’aravim unit in the Israel Defense Forces’ Commando Brigade. The unit conducts undercover operations in urban areas, with its members often wearing civilian clothing to blend in with the local Arab population.
The IDF is reinforcing its Judea and Samaria Division with two additional battalions, bringing the total to 26, amid growing efforts by Iran, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to funnel funds into the area and incite terrorist attacks.