West Bank: IDF kills 2 Islamic Jihad terrorists
IDF forces encircle Nablus home in which four members of Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades are holed up in; two terrorists killed in ensuing gun battle; third gunmen seriously injured, while fourth surrenders to troops; bomb later discovered in structure. No injuries reported among soldiers
IDF forces operating in the West Bank town of Nablus early Wednesday killed at least two members of Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, the al-Quds Brigades, and injured another seriously during gun battles in the city.
The terrorists who were shot dead were identified as Ilar resident Mustafa Abed el-Rani, a senior Jihad leader in Tul Karm, and Ustman Sadaka, from the village of Anza, near Jenin.
No injuries were reported among the IDF soldiers during the ongoing activity in Nablus, which according to army officials is being carried out against an Islamic Jihad cell that planned to carry out a suicide bombing attack in Israel.
A special Israel Police force is also taking part in the operation.
Palestinian sources said that at around 4 a.m. an IDF force entered the Rafidiyah neighborhood in Nablus and encircled a house in which four Islamic Jihad members were holed up. One terrorist was killed in the initial exchange of fire. Soldiers then called on the rest of the gunmen to surrender, threatening to level the structure with a bulldozer that was brought to the site.
The terrorists refused to come out, and a second Islamic Jihadist was killed and another was seriously wounded in the ensuing gun battle; the fourth terrorist gave himself up.
An explosives device was later found in the structure, and sappers were dispatched to the scene to conduct a controlled-detonation of the bomb.
11 wanted terror suspects nabbed
The extensive operation in Nablus against Islamic Jihad is the second of its kind in recent days. Early this week an IDF force killed top organization leaders in Qabatiyeh, near Jenin.
One of the armed Palestinians killed was identified as Elias Ashkar, a top Islamic Jihad leader in northern Samaria.
Ashkar was responsible for a series of terror attacks, preparing explosive devices and explosive belts as well as disseminating them to suicide bombers. He was also involved in the terror attack in Tel Aviv's old central bus station a month ago.
Also on Wednesday, IDF forces apprehended 11 wanted Palestinian terror suspects in the Nablus and Hebron areas. The suspects are members of Islamic Jihad, Fatah, Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees.
Efrat Weiss contributed to the report
