Tamer Al-Kilani, one of the leaders of the 'trendy' terrorist squad known as the 'Lion’s Den,' was killed Saturday night in Nablus. Reports differ on who was responsible, however, what they do agree with is that a motorcycle Al-Kilani was standing next to exploded, killing him instantly. 

According to the Palestinian reports, the explosive device was planted by a Palestinian operating on Israel’s behalf. The Palestinians also claim that the operative was recorded on security cameras activating the device. The Israel Defense Forces and the internal security service 'Shin Bet' have yet to confirm or deny their involvement.  It is common for Palestinian officials to stoke the flames in the region by blaming Israel for mishaps that occur. It is fairly common for militants to accidentally blow themselves up given the crude and unstable nature of the devices they use.

⭕️ BREAKING: Tamer Al-Kilani, of the terrorist cell “Lion’s Den” died after an explosive was set off on his motorcycle in Shechem last night. Palestinians are claiming it was an Israeli assassination, with claims of SMS warnings being sent before. Israel has not commented. pic.twitter.com/n8qbBWyCYF

— Chaim • חיים (@ChaimSmierc) October 23, 2022

"He was eliminated by placing a sticky TNT charge," said the Lion’s Den in their statement Sunday morning. "We call on all the Palestinian people to attend his funeral." The claim, if true would mean someone had to activate the charge when Al-Kilani walked by but the same security cameras the Palestinians claim show the planting of the device seems to not have captured anyone in the area at the time of the blast.

Al-Kilani,  who was 33 years old, was in an Israeli maximum security prison in the past and was responsible for a series of terrorist attacks and attempted attacks in recent months. Among other things, he was the primary mentor and handler of the terrorist who was caught with a weapon in Jaffa at the beginning of September and intended to go on a killing spree in Tel Aviv.

🔖🇵🇸Palestinians gather at scene of explosion in Nablus: People in Nablus, in the occupied West Bank, gather at the scene of an explosion in which Tamer al-Kilani, a Palestinian militant leader, was killed according to local police. pic.twitter.com/4ZTPFjZnWU

— worldnews24u (@worldnews24u) October 23, 2022

The Lion’s Den is responsible for a series of attacks in recent months, including the shooting attack in which an Israeli infantry soldier, Sgt. Ido Baruch was killed near Shavei Shomron in Samaria. The terrorist squad is also responsible for placing an explosive device at a gas station in Kedumim, an attempted attack using an explosive device in Har Bracha, and throwing a grenade at an IDF squad. In recent weeks, and even more so in recent days, the terrorist organization has continued to recruit, plan and initiate attacks against Israeli targets.

The Palestinians claim that Israel killed Al-Kilani in the aftermath of Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s multiple security meetings last week with the heads of the Israeli security establishment, the interim Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. The discussions dealt with the escalation in Judea and Samaria and the manner in which the Lion’s Den should be handled."

While the group did not provide proof of Israel's complicity in the killing of al-Kilani, the state has previously launched targeted killings in the West Bank including hiding bombs inside walls, cell phones and perhaps in this case a motorcycle. pic.twitter.com/131QCGjToo

— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) October 23, 2022

Even before Lapid's security meetings, Israel announced the denial of entry permits to 164 Palestinians whose relatives participate in 'Lions Den' activities. The coordinator of the Israeli government's operations in Judea & Samaria emphasized that "let the terrorists who are hiding in the heart of the civilian population in Nablus know that their identity is well known to the security establishment and that the path of terror they choose will also affect their families, who will not be able to continue earning a living in Israel."

This sort of targeted assassination hasn’t taken place in the West Bank in years. The Lions’ Den says an “Israeli collaborator” was caught on CCTV placing the explosive device. Israeli security officials have said they know the identities of all members of the Nablus-based group pic.twitter.com/3NXGPYG9hF

— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) October 23, 2022

The assassination also comes after a report from the London-based newspaper, "Asharq al-Awsat" that Israel offered the members of the militia to turn themselves in, enter a Palestinian Authority prison for a "certain period" and in return receive amnesty and a commitment from Israel to refrain from attacking or arresting them.