Israeli forces killed three armed Palestinians in the West Bank town of Jaba, near Jenin, during an overnight IDF, Border Police and Shin Bet joint raid on Thursday.
The suspects shot at Israeli security forces operating in the area as part of Operation Break the Wave. The forces returned fire at the suspects, who were inside a vehicle.
Border Police said the armed Palestinians were planning terror attacks against Israelis and were targets for arrest before they opened fire at the forces.
15 Palestinians were arrested as part of the overnight raid, the Israeli military said on Thursday. An IDF drone was shot down from the sky during the operation, the IDF said, before adding that there is no concern over information leaks and that the incident will be internally probed.
Slain Palestinians identified as Islamic Jihad militants
The three were identified as Islamic Jihad militants Ahmad Bashabsha and Sufyan Fakhouri. A third slain Palestinian, Nayef Maleisha, was also identified as a militant.
Israeli troops are seen operating in the West Bank during an overnight raid as part of Operation Break the Wave on March 9, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)
Israeli forces were reinforced in the area of Jaba on Thursday morning following riots that broke out in response to the killings.
No Israeli casualties were reported during the overnight operation, IDF said.
Shortly after the raid, a 14-year-old Palestinian named Walid Nassar succumbed to wounds he sustained during another IDF raid in Jenin earlier this week.
Tzvi Joffre contributed to this report. This is a developing story.
