The Palestinian health ministry reported on Tuesday that 21-year-old Ayed Samih Khaled lost his life during a skirmish with Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the Nur Shams refugee camp, located to the east of the Northern Samaria city of Tulkarem. The health ministry indicated that Khaled was fatally shot by live ammunition to his head during a firefight against Israeli forces who have been ramping up their anti-terror operations in advance of the Jewish high-holidays.
Social media posts emerged displaying what appeared to be explosives being used against IDF engineering equipment. The IDF later confirmed these events, elaborating on the purpose and results of their operation in Nur Shams.
IDF says troops destroyed numerous IEDs found inside a building used as a headquarters by local gunmen, during the raid in Nur Shams. No injuries after one IED explodes on bulldozer. 19 suspects detained in other areas of West Bank. pic.twitter.com/GnW27LaSBN
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) September 5, 2023
"In a meticulously orchestrated operation led by engineering forces and guided by the Shin Bet's invaluable intelligence, the IDF successfully neutralized a myriad of ready-to-use explosives located inside a building serving as a hideout for wanted criminals in the Nur al-Shams refugee camp," announced the IDF spokesperson.
The IDF's disclosure further detailed the sequence of events, which revealed the challenges faced by Israeli forces. "Our activities were met with stiff resistance. Suspects resorted to burning tires and hurling explosives at our forces, resulting in an inevitable exchange of gunfire with several armed individuals. Thankfully, no casualties were reported among our personnel, but injuries on the Palestinian side were identified," the spokesperson added.
The @IDF confirms that forces identified an explosive that detonated during a counterterrorism operation in Nur Shams, near Tulkarm. During the same operation, troops entered a building with several ready-to-use explosives that served as a headquarters for Palestinian terrorists. https://t.co/TGmfthorc9
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) September 5, 2023
In the same operation, IDF forces also unearthed an explosive device which was promptly deactivated without incident. "Our engineering tools uncovered a concealed bomb that was successfully neutralized, thereby averting further potential tragedy," stated the IDF.
This raid in Nur Shams was part of a broader operation throughout the West Bank. A total of 19 individuals who were on Israel’s wanted list were arrested. Earlier on Monday, Israeli forces executed another rare daytime operation in the Jenin refugee camp, resulting in the apprehension of five more suspects.
The surge in hostilities linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, especially in Judea and Samaria, also called the West Bank, can no longer be overlooked. Since the beginning of the year, based on official reports, at least 226 Palestinians, 32 Israelis, a Ukrainian, and an Italian have lost their lives. The Palestinian casualties predominantly comprise combatants, whereas the Israeli victims majorly consist of civilians caught in a particularly dreadful wave of terrorism—one of the worst since the second Intifada. The deceased include women, children, three members of the Israeli Arab minority, a Ukrainian 'lone soldier' who fell victim to a car-ramming attack last week, and an Italian tourist who was tragically killed in Tel Aviv.
Wherever you go, you spread lies:
— Noah Guttman (@noah_guttman) September 5, 2023
“Martyr Mujahid Ayed Samih Abu Harb One of the mujahideen of the Al-Quds Brigades, Tulkarm Battalion” pic.twitter.com/nBwmxR1S4T
The ongoing confrontations underscore the complexities and the pressing urgency to find a comprehensive solution to the conflict. Israel's commitment to the safety and security of its citizens remains unwavering, as demonstrated by the continuous efforts of its military and intelligence sectors to neutralize threats and minimize casualties.
