An Islamic Jihad terrorist and his security guard were killed at noon on Thursday in Jenin during a combined operation by the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Police. After the two were killed, a violent riot developed at the scene during which two more Palestinians, one of them 16 years old, were shot to death.
According to the Ministry of Health in Ramallah, during the exchange of fire, four more Palestinians were injured. In dramatic footage from Jenin, locals are seen surrounding the Israeli forces from the elite police counterterrorism unit Yamam, who were forced to repel them by firing in the air, as well as the removal of the special forces vehicles that were used in the operation.
Israeli special forces eliminated 4 terrorists involved in shooting attacks and defined as a ticking bomb for preparing more attacks, in a battle in the heart of Jenin. pic.twitter.com/VX1Yt69ilU
ā RealPalestina(×"×)š®š± (@LollllllaJR) March 16, 2023
The wanted person who was the target of the operation was named as Nidal Khazem, a relative of Fathi Khazem, the father of Raed who carried out the attack on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv in April 2022, in which three people were murdered. Nidal Khazem was recently involved in a shooting at IDF forces operating in the city. One of his security guards who was killed is Yusef Abu Ashrin.
During the activity of the security forces, as mentioned, two more Palestinians were killed. One of them is Omar Awadin and the other is Loui al-Zarir. The IDF is investigating the circumstances of the death of the two. According to what is known so far, the locals surrounded the troubled force and were rescued unharmed by backups forces in the area.
Head of Hamas militants in Jenin Yousef Shrim was also killedpic.twitter.com/Yt8eY3cjct
ā Younis | ŁŁŁŲ³ (@ytirawi) March 16, 2023
In a joint announcement by the IDF and the Shin Bet, it was stated that "the security forces neutralized two operatives of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization who were suspected of significant terrorist activity. With the precise direction of the Shin Bet, the forces neutralized the two wanted men while they were armed. Nidal Khazem, a resident of the Jenin refugee camp, promoted significant terrorist activity. Yosef Abu Ashrin, also a resident of the Jenin refugee camp, was involved in making explosives and shooting at IDF forces".
These Palestinian children Yusef Shreim and Nidal Khazem were playing stickball with their pals Alfalfa and Buckwheat when they were killed for no reason. pic.twitter.com/bkqLFQyCx4
ā The Mossad: š«š¬ā”ļø (@TheMossadIL) March 16, 2023
It was also stated in the message that "Another suspect was neutralized after he tried to attack the soldiers with an iron sledgehammer. During the operation, the forces fired at armed local men who fired at them, and injuries were detected. In addition, violent disturbances developed during which suspects threw stones at the forces. The security forces will continue to work to counter terrorism and to maintain the security of the State of Israel".
Video syuhada komandan Brigade Al-Quds di Jenin, Nidal Khazem#SahabatPalestina_ID #TolakTimnasIsrael pic.twitter.com/2gXHWxAWIq
ā ŲµŁŲŖ Ų§ŁŲŁ (@BournAgainShell) March 16, 2023
The recent Jenin operation by the IDF comes just a few short days before the beginning of Ramadan, a period of high tension in Judea and Samaria.
