The IDF killed the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror cell in Jenin, Nour al-Bitawi, who had been planning immediate attacks, the IDF announced on Friday.
The troops operated in Nablus to arrest Bitawi, who was involved in advanced, significant terror activity and the planning, funding, and execution of attacks.
"He also maintained connections with Hamas in Gaza and abroad," the IDF said.
כוחות הימ"מ חיסלו בשכם את נור אלביטאווי, ממנהיגי התארגנות הטרור של מחנה הפליטים ג'נין ואחד מבכירי המבוקשים של צה"ל ושב"כ ביו"ש@Doron_Kadosh pic.twitter.com/KAGka6W4Q9
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“Bitawi was responsible for transferring terror funds to Jenin and other villages in the area, and as part of that, worked to recruit and arm terrorists in order to carry out attacks against IDF troops. At the same time, he led the manufacturing and planting of explosive devices in the Jenin area,” the army said.
Bitawi's role in the Palestinian city of Jenin
The terrorist had been wanted for several months after being identified by security forces as fleeing from Jenin toward Nablus following the operation in the northern West Bank.
After intelligence and operational activity by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the terrorist was located in a house in Nablus.
Counterterrorism Unit, Shin Bet, and IDF forces surrounded the house where he was hiding and killed him, along with another terrorist.