By: Aryeh Savir & Baruch Yedid
Israeli Special Forces operating in the Palestinian Authority city of Jenin in Samaria on Monday night to arrest a terror suspect shot and killed two terrorists during a battle that ensued as they extracted from the city.
The IDF stated that the undercover unit operated in the Jenin refugee camp to arrest a wanted terror suspect. After the arrest, when the forces left the house, they encountered heavy fire from several directions, and the undercover forces responded by shooting at the terrorists. Later in the operation, when troops arrived at their vehicles, another terrorist fired at them, and they responded with accurate fire.
As the forces left Jenin, riots broke out with about 150 rioters who threw Molotov cocktails, rocks, and an improvised grenade at the Israeli forces, who responded with live ammunition and means to disperse demonstrations.
There were no Israeli casualties.
The arrested terror suspect was identified as Imad Abu al-Hija, a released prisoner, the son of senior Hamas figure in Jenin Jamal Abu al-Hija, who has been imprisoned in Israel for many years.
The two killed terrorists are Abdullah al-Khassari and Shadi Najm. Photos posted on social media show al-Khassari armed and brandishing Islamic Jihad symbols.
Israeli Special Forces have recently carried out several operations to arrest terror suspects in the Jenin area, considered a stronghold of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorism in Samaria.
In related news, IDF forces operating in the Hebron area identified three Arab terrorists who threw firebombs at Israeli motorists driving on Route 60. The forces shot and injured one of the terrorists. He was arrested and received initial medical treatment by the Israeli troops.
In yet another development, TPS reported that the Palestinian Authority and Hamas have maintained silence and prefer not to comment on the war in Ukraine due to the fear that taking a stand with one of the sides will harm their interests.
For his part, PA head Mahmoud Abbas fears a confrontation with the Biden administration while the PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh pressures members of Congress to open the consulate in Jerusalem and the PLO is waiting to open its offices in Washington.
On the other hand, the Palestinian Authority, which is pressing for an international peace conference sponsored by the Quartet, needs the support of Russia, a member of the Quartet.
The PA Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet commented on the events, but Fatah spokesman Jamal Nazal is trying to take advantage of the events and justify security coordination with Israel, which is criticized within the PA.
(TPS)
