JENIN – An IDF soldier sustained light wounds after Palestinians hurled an explosive device at an IDF force operating in the West Bank town of Jenin.
Meanwhile, eight Islamic Jihad terrorists were apprehended during the operation and taken in for interrogation.
Special forces from the elite “Egoz” and “Maglan” units entered Jenin late Sunday and detained five Islamic Jihad terrorists, while three more were arrested at a village south of the city.
The eight terrorists were planning to produce homemade rockets and fire them at communities in the northern West Bank, army sources said.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claim responsibility
Palestinian sources in Jenin said four of those arrested in Jenin are brothers. Two of them were known as members of the Islamic Jihad, the sources said, and added one was recently released from an Israeli prison in the framework of goodwill gestures to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
Another brother was expelled to the Gaza Strip two years ago, but returned to Jenin several weeks ago after Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided to allow expelled Palestinians to return to the West Bank, the Palestinian sources said.
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for detonating the explosive device in Jenin. The attack came in the framework of the Palestinian right to protest the Palestinian people and resist Israeli aggression, a group member told Ynet.
Those detained are not connected to attempts to manufacture weapons, the Palestinians said, and add that one of the detainees is a 15-year-old boy.
Meanwhile, the closure imposed on the West Bank and Gaza Strip ahead of Purim will be lifted Monday, and the entry of Palestinian laborers and merchants into Israel will be permitted
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