Photo by
IDF Spokesperson/TPS-IL on 9 April, 2025
Israeli Forces Arrest Lions’ Den Terror Commander, Weapons Dealer
Jerusalem, 9 April, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Israeli soldiers arrested two terrorists, including a former commander of the Lions’ Den terror group in Shechem (Nablus), the Israel Defense Forces said on Wednesday.
The IDF said that Mahmoud Bana, a former senior member of the “Lions’ Den” group was armed with an M-16 rifle and a grenade launcher at the time of his arrest on Tuesday night.
Bana was involved in attempted shooting and IED attacks against security forces in Judea and Samaria and had planned other attacks. During his arrest, the terrorist tried to escape and was shot in the leg.
Based in Shechem, the Lions’ Den terror group was best known for posting videos of their attacks on TikTok and Telegram to a large following of Palestinian youth.
Soldiers also arrested yesterday, Khalil Hanbali, who was wanted for his involvement in shooting attacks against Israeli forces. The IDF added Hanbali was a major weapons dealer in Judea and Samaria. During his arrest, weapons were found in his possession.
Since Hamas’ October 7 attack, Israeli forces have arrested more than 6,000 wanted Palestinians in counterterror operations in Judea and Samaria. Around 40 percent were affiliated with Hamas.
