Al-Aqsa gunman killed in clashes with IDF
Large forces operate in West Bank town in search of wanted terror suspects; one gunman kiled in ensuing firefights; three elite troops, at least 10 Palestinians hurt in violence
An al-Aqsa Brigades gunman injured in clashes with the IDF in Jenin this morning died of his wounds in the afternoon, Palestinian paramedics said.
Salah Foukra, who was shot in the head and chest, was a member of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, the military wing of Mahmoud Abbas’ ruling party Fatah.
Earlier, three members of YAMAM, the police’s elite counter-terrorism force, sustained light wounds Wednesday in an exchange of fire with armed Palestinians during an operation to detain Islamic Jihad suspects in the West Bank town of Jenin.
Two of the wounded police officers were taken for treatment at Ha’emek hospital in Afula. The incident apparently occurred after troops besieged a home where the suspects were hiding.
The Palestinians reported fierce clashes in the center of the town and said at least 10 Palestinians were hurt in the violence, including two who sustained serious wounds.
The IDF said “a large-scale operation aimed at detained wanted suspects is being carry out. During the operation troops encountered numerous disruptions of order and were forced to resort to crowd-dispersal means.”
Palestinian sources said a large Israeli force entered the city’s center early Wednesday. According to the sources, the force was accompanied by dozens of jeeps and other military vehicles and imposed a curfew at the area where the operation was taking place.
Fierce gunfights promptly ensued at the scene involving Israeli forces and Palestinian gunmen. According to reports from Jenin, Palestinians were also hurt in the exchange.
Meanwhile, IDF forces operating northeast of Tul Karem recovered a handgun, two hunting rifles, and ammunition, and detained the homeowner early Wednesday. Elsewhere, troops detained a terror suspect in a village southwest of Hebron.
Ali Waked contributed to the story
