Five Tanzim activists (Fatah's militant wing) from the village of Silwad near Ramallah were arrested in a joint IDF and ISA operation throughout the months of July and August. The activists were connected to the local militant Fatah bloc and are responsible for carrying out a number of terrorist attacks in the area and on Road 60, a central passageway for Israeli vehicles.

On July 9th, 2009 at around 06:00, a number of gunshots were fired at an Israeli vehicle traveling near Silwad. After an initial investigation, security forces arrested Maharan Iad and Tzalch Chamed, two Palestinian men from Silwad. Both men were arrested in the past on account of their active participation and membership to a militant Fatah group known for acting against those who allegedly cooperate with Israel.

During the investigation, the two gunmen admitted to carrying out the attack with the help of Mustafa Chamed, another Tanzim activist who was also arrested. Maharan Iad, who was arrested twice in the past and lived in the U.S. from 2006 to May, 2009, admitted to planning the attack with Tzlach and Mustafa over the course of a few days during which they looked for the optimal location to carry out the attack. The investigation also showed that both Mustafa and Tzlach were involved in at least one gun attack in the area during 2005.

Two additional Tanzim activists, Jamil Chamed and Rami Chamed, also from Silwad, were arrested during the course of the investigation. The two men admitted to active participation in a number of terror attacks during the Second Intifada. Rami Chamed admitted to his direct involvement in four separate terror attacks during investigation. 

The ISA and IDF view arrests of this kind as part of their targeted activity to thwart and stop terror in Silwad. These attacks were carried out by village residents, members of the Tanzim terrorist bloc, some of who are also members of the Palestinian Authority security apparatus.