Synopsis
On March 5, the Israeli army took decisive action in Jenin, killing a senior Qassam Brigades commander and another Palestinian amidst a significant military operation. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the IDF's intensified counterterrorism efforts.Key Takeaways
- The Israeli army killed Hamas commander Aysar al-Saadi during an operation.
- Operation Iron Wall is expanding in the northern West Bank.
- Heavy-duty armored vehicles were used for the first time in Jenin.
- Hamas condemned the actions, accusing Israel of failing to confront resistance.
- The operation resulted in significant civilian displacement and destruction.
Ramallah, March 5 (NationPress) The Israeli army has eliminated a prominent commander of the Qassam Brigades along with another Palestinian during an extensive military operation in the eastern sector of the northern West Bank city of Jenin.
As reported by Palestinian security sources and eyewitness accounts, the Israeli forces, bolstered by significant reinforcements, encircled multiple residential structures in Jenin's eastern sector, leading to fierce clashes that resulted in the deaths of Aysar al-Saadi and another young individual, according to Xinhua news agency.
This incident occurred as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensified its ongoing counterterrorism initiative, titled “Operation Iron Wall,” in the northern West Bank, expanding to other neighborhoods in Jenin.
In a first for this operation, troops deployed “Eitan” armored personnel carriers in Jenin, which are heavier and more robust than the standard APCs usually utilized in the West Bank.
On Tuesday morning, as part of the expanded operation, Border Police officers alongside IDF soldiers attempted to apprehend the leader of Hamas's terror network in Jenin, Aysar al-Saadi, following intelligence about his location provided by Shin Bet.
After a gunfire exchange, Saadi and another gunman were killed, with three wanted Palestinians apprehended, as per reports from the IDF, police, and Shin Bet.
Hamas expressed grief over Saadi's death, accusing Israel of resorting to “assassinations after failing to confront the resistance on the ground.”
In an official statement, the Israeli army confirmed the killing of Saadi, claiming he was instrumental in orchestrating attacks against Israeli targets.
During searches of the property where Saadi was located, Israeli troops discovered an assault rifle, a handgun, and several other weapons.
Additionally, another gunman was killed in a separate firefight in the same vicinity, as stated by the IDF.
On Tuesday, a Palestinian man who approached Israeli forces at a checkpoint near the West Bank settlement outpost of Homesh while wielding a knife was shot dead by the troops, according to a military source.
The statement further claimed that the second Palestinian killed “posed a threat” to Israeli forces in the area.
The army reiterated that military operations would persist in Jenin to pursue what it characterized as “terrorist elements.”
Jenin governor Kamal Abu al-Rub reported that two Palestinians were killed, “and many young men were arrested,” while the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed one of the deceased as Aysar al-Saadi, noting that the 21-year-old's body was taken by troops after he was shot.
The head of the Jenin government hospital, Wisam Baker, informed the media that a man identified as Jihad Alawneh was declared dead upon arrival at the facility early on Tuesday.
Baker mentioned that Alawneh, aged 25, had succumbed after bleeding out from a thigh gunshot wound.
Governor Abu al-Rub stated that the raid resulted in “devastation and massive destruction” in Jenin's eastern neighborhood, “which has not experienced an Israeli assault like this before.”
He noted that the main electricity line was severed, numerous families were displaced, and army bulldozers left a path of destruction.
Since the commencement of Operation Iron Wall, over 40,100 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes, according to data from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as of mid-February.
The IDF reported that over 75 Palestinian terror operatives have been killed and around 450 detained during the extensive ongoing counter-terrorism effort. The military has also acknowledged unintentionally killing several civilians during the operation, including a toddler and a pregnant woman. Troops have also confiscated nearly 200 weapons.
