IDF troops killed the head of the Hamas terrorist organization, Isser Sa'adi, in Jenin under Shin Bet direction on Monday night, the military said on Tuesday afternoon.
During the operation, Border Police, together with IDF soldiers from the Menashe Brigade, killed two additional terrorists and arrested three wanted individuals.
At the start of the mission, IDF soldiers in Eitan armored vehicles entered a neighborhood in Jenin. Acting on Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) intelligence, the troops searched a building where Sa'adi was hiding.
A firefight broke out, and in the end, the soldiers eliminated the terrorists and arrested the wanted men. Later, during a search of the area, the troops found an M-16 rifle, a pistol, and other weapons inside the building.
February counterterrorism efforts
The IDF also reported on the results of Operation Iron Wall in February. Over the course of the month, the IDF eliminated 25 terrorists in the West Bank, including arms dealers, bomb makers, and individuals reportedly planning attacks. In addition, troops arrested approximately 350 wanted individuals, confiscated 120 weapons, and destroyed hundreds of explosive devices.
Government directives to intensify operations
Several weeks ago, Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to increase operations in refugee camps in the West Bank following attempted terrorist attacks in the Gush Dan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also instructed the military to “launch a powerful operation against terrorist strongholds in Judea and Samaria.”
The Prime Minister’s Office reported that he further directed the Israel Police and Shin Bet to expand preventive operations in cities to stop future attacks.
As part of phase two of Operation Iron Wall, Katzt has moved forward with a plan to establish IDF outposts in West Bank refugee camps.
The goal is to prevent fleeing terrorists from returning and to prepare for an expanded military presence. The political echelon has ordered the IDF to remain in Jenin and Tulkarm refugee camps until further notice.
According to Central Command estimates, most terrorists have abandoned their hideouts and left the camps. However, Israeli soldiers will continue operations, targeting terrorist infrastructure, seizing weapons and ammunition, and dismantling remaining threats.
Later on Tuesday, the military said it had arrested 19 wanted persons in an overnight West Bank operation, among whom were Hamas terrorists.
Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.