Wanted operative in Qabatiya
Photo: AP
IDF kills 3 civilians, 1 al-Aqsa operative in Qabatiya
During IDF operations, house of al-Aqsa operative surrounded. Ensuing exchanges of fired leave 3 dead, 9 wounded. Palestinians threaten revenge
Palestinian witnesses in the village of Qabatiya, adjacent to Jenin, reported Thursday afternoon that four people were killed in exchanges of fire with the IDF. According to the witnesses, three of them were civilians and the fourth was Rashid Zakarna, a senior operative in the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Fatah's military wing.
Palestinians reported that a large IDF force operating in the area surrounded Zakarna's residence. During ensuing exchanges of fire, Zakarna was severely injured and later died of his wounds.
Additionally, they said, at least nine other individuals arrived at the hospital in Jenin. Among them, Ashraf Zakarna, Rashid's family member, was transferred to the Nablus hospital in critical condition.
Al-Aqsa operatives told Ynet that, immediately after the IDF forces began surrounding the house, gunmen from several Palestinian organizations arrived in the area and clashed with the forces. Witnesses reported that an IDF helicopter flew overhead during the entire operation.
Al-Aqsa promised a response to the IDF operation and the subsequent death of a senior operative. "Zakana's death is a great loss for the organization," members said.
IDF sources reported that border guard police forces surrounded a structure in Qabatiya housing wanted operatives from the Islamic Jihad who belong to terror rings in the northern West Bank. During the operation, exchanges of fire took place between the wanted operatives and the Israeli forces.
The IDF further reported that, during the incident, Palestinians threw stones and an explosive charge at the forces. There were no Israeli casualties, although one of the military vehicles sustained damage.
Efrat Weiss also contributed to the report
