IDF kills bombing mastermind

Elite IDF soldiers killed two Islamic Jihad terrorists in a shootout near Jenin Sunday evening, including Hadera bombing mastermind Jihad Awidat, who sent the suicide bomber on his deadly mission.

Troops belonging to counter-terror unit Duvdevan operated in the West Bank town of Kabatiya throughout the evening and recovered a protective vest and a Kalashnikov rifle near Awidat’s body. No injuries were reported among IDF troops.

During the operation, forces also killed Awidat’s assistant, Arshad Kamal, who sustained wounds in the gun battle and managed to flee into a house later encircled by troops. His body was eventually recovered by the IDF.

Meanwhile, the “Red Dawn” alert system was activated twice in the southern town of Sderot around midnight, after Qassam rockets were launched at the community, apparently in response to the operation in Kabatiya.

One rocket landed in Sderot while another one landed nearby. No injuries or damages were reported in the attack.

The Fatah’s al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility for the strike. Earlier, two rockets were fired by the Islamic Jihad but landed in Palestinian areas.

The Qassam strikes came despite a deal struck between Palestinian officials and terror groups earlier in the day on ending all Gaza-based attacks on Israeli targets.

Forces acting on intelligence information launched the operation in Kabatiya around 6 p.m. on suspicion that wanted terror suspects involved in the Hadera bombing were hiding in one of the houses in town.

The troops called on the suspects to turn themselves in, but in response the Palestinians began firing at the soldiers. The troops then resorted to the “pressure cooker” tactic, surrounding the house while using a heavy bulldozer. At that point, four men, a woman, and two children left the house.

According to IDF estimates, senior terror suspects were hiding in the area. Notably, the suicide bomber who detonated himself in Hadera last week was also a resident of Kabatiya. Earlier, Palestinian sources reported a fierce shootout in the area involving IDF troops and armed Palestinians belonging to various terror groups in the town. 

Islamic Jihad vows revenge

The Islamic Jihad announced it intends to avenge the killing of two of the organization's members.

"The residents of the Israeli communities near the West Bank will have no security as long as members of the organization are being killed," a message by the group read.

The Jenin and Tul Karem area is home to many Islamic Jihad activists. Abu al-Muamen, one of the group’s leaders in the West Bank, claimed responsibility for the bombing in Hadera last week that killed five people.

Earlier, the Palestinian Authority announced that it reached an agreement with the various factions and terror organizations whereby they would refrain from launching Qassam rocket or terror attacks from Gaza against Israel.

The official announcement was made to representatives of the Quartet, which includes the U.S., the EU, Russia and the U.N.

Later, senior Islamic Jihad leader in Gaza Khaled al-Batash confirmed that his group agreed to end Qassam rocket attacks from Gaza.

Al-Batash told journalists in the Strip the Islamic Jihad accepts the agreement reached with the Palestinian Authority and noted his group would honor the deal as long as Israel ends its Gaza attacks.

Hamas also confirmed an agreement was reached and said it was committed to the lull in violence.

Shmulik Haddad and Hanan Greenberg contributed to the story