Israeli Forces Kill 5 Gunmen in Mosque Shootout as Counterterror Raids Enter Second Day

Jerusalem, 29 August, 2024 (TPS) -- Israeli security forces killed five Palestinian terrorists hiding in a mosque overnight as a major counterterror operation in Samaria and the Jordan Valley entered its second day, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday morning.

One of the terrorists eliminated was identified as Muhhamad Jabber, “Abu Shujaa,” the head of a terrorist network in the Nur Shams refugee camp. The army said he was involved in carrying out numerous terror attacks, including a shooting attack in which an Israeli civilian, Amnon Muchtar, was murdered in June. Jabber was also involved in the planning of additional terror attacks.

The incursion — Israel’s largest counterterror operation in months — was prompted by intelligence indicating that terror groups were preparing further attacks on Israel. The army launched an operation on Wednesday to dismantle these networks, arresting dozens of suspects for questioning. Among those apprehended was a senior Hamas leader from Jenin, as well as individuals connected to Saleh Arouri, a prominent Hamas official assassinated in Beirut.

Raids have focused on the Jenin, Nur al-Shams and El Fara refugee camps located in northern Samaria and the Jordan Valley, and the village of Tubas, which is near Shechem (Nablus).

The army said fighting is expected to continue for an “extended” period of time.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hinted at several days of fighting when he said on social media that Israel should consider ordering Palestinian civilians to temporarily evacuate those areas.

On Aug. 21, Israel assassinated Khalil Hussein Khalil Al-Maqdah in Lebanon, who, along with his brother, Mounir, directed terror activity in Judea and Samaria on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Following the assassination, analyst Beni Sabti told The Press Service of Israel that Iranian weapons smuggling through Jordan has been going on for years but increased sharply after October 7. Sabti is a researcher on Iran for the Institute for National Security Studies, which is affiliated with Tel Aviv University.

“It’s reached dangerous levels. The Iranians have hubris. They see October 7 as a victory and they will continue smuggling weapons,” Sabti told TPS-IL.

Recent terror attacks in the Jordan Valley, including a deadly drive-by shooting, have residents on edge.

Israeli security forces have arrested more than 4,400 Palestinian terror suspects in Judea and Samaria since October 7, of whom around 1,850 are affiliated with Hamas.