Nablus: Hamas leader killed
IDF forces kill Hamas leader in Nablus Amjad Hanawi during overnight operation in West Bank town. IDF says top terrorist set up explosives labs, promoted bombing attacks. Hamas pledges to respond harshly, slams Israel for 'crimes against Palestinians'
During the operation, fire was opened at the troops several times. Soldiers retaliated with fire and in one of the incidences killed Hanawi, who refused to leave his house and attempted an escape.
A Kalshnikov rifle, a pistol and two magazines were found on Hanawi's body. The IDF arrested another eight wanted Palestinians in Nablus during the operation.
The Samaria Brigade Commander, Colonel Yuval Bazak told Ynet that the killing of Hanawi significantly affected the organization, and that "Hamas' infrastructure in Nablus is a ticking time bomb. The organization was ready to launch attacks against Israel."
"Hamas' infrastructure in Nablus is defined as one of the most dangerous the organization has established, and the IDF acted tonight in order to foil its operations. The army's activity substantially harmed Hamas' capabilities," he added.
Increase in violent incidences
Hanawi has been involved in terrorist activities since 1995, when he started carrying out shooting attacks against Israelis with Hamas member Khalil Sharif. The two murdered an Israeli-American citizen, and critically wounded Rabbi Uzi Nevo.
Security sources said the IDF has learned in recent months that Hanawi had been conducting efforts to establish labs for developing explosives, as well as accumulate explosives for the purpose of manufacturing charges and preparing bomb attacks.
Bazak noted that the Nablus sector "has been constantly active. In the last two months we saw an increase in the number of violent incidences, including in roadblocks in the region."
"Only a week ago we encountered a failed attempt to carry out a shooting attack near the Alon Moreh settlement. We are trying to focus our operations on fighting terror, and to separate them from the civilian population," he added.
Meanwhile, the IDF waits to see how the Nablus operation will affect fighting on the southern front, particularly in light of the fact that the army fired close to 60 artillery shells at Gaza overnight.
"We are not certain whether we'll see a response, but we are preparing for such scenario," one high ranking officer told Ynet.
Although the IDF does not regularly operate against Hamas, we distinguish between the organization and terrorists who are trying to carry out terror attacks, he added.
"Although Hamas attempts to shake off its responsibility for terror attacks, the IDF knows of several incidences in which the organization has been involved, including the shooting attack in Gush Etzion about a month ago," he added.
Hamas pledges a response
Hamas' military wing has threatened to avenge the death of Hanawi.
"We will respond quickly and in a harmful way against Israel for the murder of Amjad Hanawi," the group said.
Senior members in the West Bank and Gaza Strip said "the killing of Hanawi proves that Israel only understands force. Instead of talking about an extended calm, the Authority must protect the Palestinian nation and its resistance groups."
This is no time for talk of calm, Hamas spokesman in the Strip Sami Abu-Zahari said.
"The Palestinian Authority should do all it can to protect the Palestinian people who are being killed every day, and adopt the path of resistance and defend the Palestinian organizations instead of talking about the calm," he said.
One Hamas leader in Nablus Sheikh Yasser Mansour, said Hanawi "was executed, and not killed during an operation."
Mansour claimed that Hanawi's killing was aimed at creating an atmosphere of terror among the Palestinians.
"This is a new crime in the long list of the Zionists' crimes against the Palestinian people. This killing sends a message to the PA and to all those who aspire an agreement with Israel," he said.
"The message is that Israel knows no other language than the language of weapons, blood, destruction and ruin," he added.
Mansour claimed that the Nablus incident, as well as recent incidences in Jenin and other places, represent Israeli policy and do not constitute a response to the actions of Palestinian resistance movements.
"I call on the international organizations and the human rights groups to come here and observe the crimes of Israeli occupation, which carries out killings on a daily basis, and resorts to the vilest means in its effort to hurt the Palestinians," Mansour concluded.
Ali Waked and Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
