West Bank raid: Israel kills leaders of al-Aqsa Brigades

Israel has killed a senior member of the militant Al-Aqsa Brigades in a military operation in the West Bank. According to Palestinian sources, two other Palestinians were killed in the attack and around 40 people were injured.

Israel has killed a senior member of the Al-Aqsa Brigades in a military operation in the West Bank. Ibrahim al-Nablusi was responsible for a series of attacks on Israeli soldiers in the area, according to the Israeli domestic intelligence service Shin Bet and the military. Explosives and other weapons were also found during the attempted arrest. Another member of the militant organization was also killed.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health also confirmed Al-Nablusi’s death. In addition, two other people were killed and around 40 people were injured by gunfire.

Fear of further confrontation

The Israeli army and Palestinians shot at each other in the old town of Nablus, the AFP news agency reported. Amid the clashes, the Israeli army brought traffic to a standstill in Nablus, one of the largest cities in the West Bank. It is feared that the killing of Al-Nablusi could lead to further confrontations.

The Al-Aqsa Brigades are the military arm of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement. However, it is a loose network without a clear hierarchy; local groups often act independently.

More clashes in the West Bank

There have also been clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinians in other parts of the West Bank. The Red Crescent said at least 30 Palestinians were injured. At least one of them is in serious condition. The Israeli army said Palestinians threw stones and explosives at their soldiers. However, the soldiers were unharmed.

In the past few months, there have been almost daily operations by the Israeli army in the West Bank. The army specifically targeted fighters from the militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad. At least 57 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since late March.

Bombs on Gaza, rockets on Israel

The Israeli army recently bombed Islamic Jihad targets in the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian sources, 46 people were killed, including 16 children, and 360 others were injured. In response to the airstrikes, Islamic Jihad fired more than 1,000 rockets at Israeli towns, according to military sources.

The anti-jihad operation in Gaza is a continuation of a campaign in the West Bank that has been going on for months. Since a series of attacks in Israel in the spring, in which 19 people died, according to Israeli statements, the army has been carrying out increased anti-terrorist operations there.

Egypt mediates ceasefire

After three days of fighting, Israel and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, mediated by Egypt, finally agreed on a ceasefire. The Israeli military had launched the “Dawn” military action with airstrikes against jihad in the Gaza Strip. Two jihadist military chiefs were killed during the operation.

The brokered ceasefire seems to have held up ever since. However, Israel reserved the right to “resolutely respond” in the event of a violation of the ceasefire. Islamic Jihad also declared its readiness to respond to “any aggression”.