IDF soldier in Jenin (Archive photo)
Photo: Reuters
Who tried to kill al-Quds commander?
Palestinian sources say senior Islamic Jihad member critically wounded during exchanges of fire with IDF troops in Jenin refugee camp; however, Islamic Jihad sources say assassination attempt may have been related to internal rift
Palestinian sources said Wednesday evening that the commander of Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades in the West Bank sustained critical injuries during an IDF attempt to assassinate him in a Jenin refugee camp.
According to the report, a special IDF force arrived at a house in which Hussam Jaradat was staying and critically injured him during the ensuing exchanges of fire.
However, Islamic Jihad sources told Ynet that they are looking into the possibility that the assassination attempt was part of an internal rift after last Tuesday Jaradat and his men clashed with a Palestinian commander who tried to confiscate a stolen car in their possession.
Witnesses in Jenin said Jaradat managed to flee the scene; Palestinian sources said he escaped a number of assassination attempts in recent weeks.
Jaradat took over as al-Quds commander in the West Bank following the targeted killing of Louie Sa'adi a few months ago, and has since been one of the most wanted terrorists; he was behind several Islamic Jihad attempts to carry out terror against Israel.
The last attempted attack was foiled about two weeks ago, after the Shin Bet security service managed to infiltrate the terror cell by using a Palestinian collaborator. The man was later killed by Islamic Jihad members after confessing to his role in thwarting the attack and in the assassination of two group members about three weeks ago in the Jenin refugee camp.
Over the last weekend, Palestinian sources reported that an Islamic Jihad member was killed during exchanges of fire between the IDF and a group of armed men in the northern Gaza Strip. The Palestinians said that five IDF soldiers fired at the gunmen and killed a 19-year-old.
