Israeli troops killed a wanted member of a terror cell Tuesday morning following an exchange of gunfire that killed three and injured 40 others.
Ibrahim Nablusi, a commander of the Palestinian militia group Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, was one of three people killed in a firefight after Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) surrounded Nablusi's home at the West Bank's City of Nablus.
According to The Times of Israel, Israeli troops also fired missiles at the building where Nablusi was hiding, resulting in the death of the terrorist member along with two others, Islam Subuh and Hassin Jamal Taha. Forty others were wounded, and at least four are in critical condition.
In a statement by Prime Minister Yair Lapid, he "sends his appreciation to the security forces in the field who dedicate their lives to the security of the citizens of Israel."
"The elimination of the terrorist Ibrahim Nablusi is another step in our uncompromising fight against terrorism. I welcome the combined action of the security organizations," Lapid added.
"The Shin Bet once again proved its intelligence superiority against terror organizations. I would like to thank the men and women of the Shin Bet who took part in the operation for their courage, creativity, and determination to reach and strike the terrorists in places they mistakenly thought would be a haven for them," the Prime Minister said.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also lauded Tuesday's IDF operation on social media.
"We will continue to act in a targeted and powerful manner against terrorism in all arenas, and against anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel. Whoever threatens - will not take place." he tweeted.
אני מבקש לשבח את פעילות צה"ל, הימ"מ והשב"כ, שסיכלו את אברהים נאבולסי, שביצע פיגועים ותכנן להוציא פיגועים נוספים. אנחנו נמשיך לפעול באופן ממוקד ועוצמתי מול הטרור בכל הזירות, ומול כל מי שמאיים על אזרחי ישראל. מי שיאיים – לא יתקיים.
— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) August 9, 2022
Earlier this year, Nablusi was part of a squad that carried out attacks on troops and civilians in the West Bank, including a shooting at Joseph's tomb near Nablus. He was often praised by Palestinian media for evading arrest by Israeli forces.
Tuesday's operation comes less than two days after the IDF and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another terrorist organization, reached a ceasefire following three days of conflict in the Gaza Strip.
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Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Nick Brundle Photography
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
