Nablus terror cell operated from PA housing
Israel says cell apprehended in West Bank was planning to carry out attack in coming days, claims Palestinian security troops entrusted with detaining cell allowed them complete freedom of movement. Gunman killed in arrest operation had dispatched suicide bomber to Israel in 2003
Defense officials said on Wednesday that the wanted gunman killed by security forces in Nablus earlier in the day is a senior-ranking Tanzim leader named Ibrahim Masyami.
The 23-year-old was killed during a joint IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police operation to arrest a Tanzim cell planning to carry out a terror attack in Israel in the coming days.
Three other gunmen were wounded in the arrest raid and a fourth was taken in for questioning. The men were meant to have been under the custody of the Palestinian Authority but were apparently allowed to move freely within Nablus.
Several of the wanted men were among those who escaped from the Nablus prison in January, they were then given residence at an apartment maintained by the PA.
The army said the force gave chase after the five wanted gunmen, called on them to halt and opened fire at
them when they failed to comply.
Masyami, who was armed at the time of his death, is charged with having recruited Palestinian youths for suicide bombings. In 2003 he recruited Ali Hassan Mahmoud Faraj as a potential suicide bomber. Faraj was apprehended by the Shin Bet before he could carry out his intended attack.
