Israeli security forces at the scene where a Palestinian terrorist stabbed an IDF reserve officer in Judea and Samaria on Sept. 18, 2016. Photo: Gerson Elinson/Flash90.

JNS.org – Israeli security forces have foiled about 180 Palestinian shooting attacks across the West Bank in 2016, a senior defense official revealed Sunday.

The military and Shin Bet security agency have been collaborating closely to prevent such terrorist attacks, the official told the Hebrew news site Walla. According to the official, most of the terrorist cells behind the attacks were not affiliated with any major groups.

“Hamas is encouraging terrorist attacks, but these cells don’t receive their orders from it. There’s an atmosphere of violence, and much of it is inspired by the Islamic State group and the terrorist attacks in Europe,” the official said.

The Israeli defense establishment’s data indicates that terrorist cells operating across the West Bank target Israel Defense Forces posts, as well as bus stops and hitchhiking stations. Terrorists also ambush Israeli vehicles traveling on the area’s roads, or target them in drive-by shootings. Security forces have become more effective in dealing with this threat and “no longer try to cover large areas, but rather operate according to more focused intelligence and security assessments,” the official told Walla.