IDF kills al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades senior operative
(VIDEO) IDF infantry brigade kill 2 gunmen in Nablus, identifies one as wanted senior operative responsible for dozens of explosive belts and attempts to send explosive vehicles to Israel
VIDEO - IDF forces operating Thursday morning in Nablus killed Fadi Kafisha, one of the commanders of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades - the military wing of Fatah - in the city. An additional operative in the organization was also killed. There were no casualties among the soldiers.
IDF sources reported that during the course of operations in the Casbah, the soldiers identified three gunmen, fired at them and hit them. During the incident, the gunmen returned fire towards the forces, although no ensuing injuries were caused. Two of the gunmen were killed, the third wounded. After the incident, one of the dead operatives was identified as Kafisha, a wanted senior commander of the organization.
According to the IDF, Kafisha is responsible for dozens of explosive belts that were made in Nablus in the past year and was known for signing his name on the belts. Likewise, he was responsible for attempts to send explosive vehicles into Israel.
Palestinian sources reported that soldiers surrounded a building in which Kafisha and a number of other wanted operatives were hiding. Exchanges of fire developed, in which Kafisha was killed and four of his comrades were wounded. During the exchange of fire, more gunmen arrived in the area and began shooting at the forces in order to help the operatives inside the building.
The IDF's Haruv infantry unit settled accounts with members of the armed al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades Thursday morning: A month and a half ago its members killed Osher Damari and wounded several others, including the son of Yair Naveh, the Central Command chief.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades 'We'll get our revenge'
Following the death of Kafisha, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades warned Thursday morning that no calm would prevent them from carrying out further terror attacks and suicide missions inside Israeli territory. "While we are discussing a lull, Israel is operating to hunt us down, one by one. There's no point in discussing calm," a senior member of the organization told ynet.
On Wednesday an operative of the Islamic Jihad also warned that they would carry out terror attacks following the killing of Hussam Jaradat, commander of al-Quds military wing in the West Bank. Jaradat was shot last week by the IDF in the Jenin refugee camp. Sources in the Palestinian Authority say they fear a loss of control in the authority if the IDF continues targeting operatives from the various armed organizations.
On Monday a special police unit, the IDF and the Shin Bet killed two al-Aqsa operatives in the Balata refugee camp. The two, Ibrahim Niba Abu Nif and Hani Hashash were involved is a series of terror attacks and attempted suicide attacks in the Nablus area and inside Israel, including the attack near the settlement of Kedumim in which 60-year-old couple Rafi and Helena Halevi, 20 year-old Reut Feldman, and 16 year-old Shaked Lasker were killed.
Ali Waked contributed to this report
