Seven soldiers wounded by IED blast in West Bank town; troops launch manhunt
Soldiers reportedly chasing gunmen who attacked army post near Silat ad-Dhahr when they came under attack; Islamic Jihad operative killed in overnight raid
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Palestinian gunmen set off an improvised explosive device near Israel Defense Forces troops in the West Bank town of Silat ad-Dhahr on Friday afternoon, wounding seven soldiers, the military and medics said.
The IDF said soldiers were carrying out “proactive activity” in the town when they came under attack.
The soldiers were searching for gunmen who had opened fire at an army post near the adjacent Israeli settlement outpost of Homesh a short while earlier, according to Hebrew-language media reports.
The IDF said three soldiers were listed in moderate condition, and four others were lightly hurt. They were all taken to the hospital for treatment and their families were notified.
Troops launched a manhunt for the Palestinian suspects behind the attack, the IDF said.
Earlier Friday, the IDF said troops killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative allegedly involved in planning major attacks, in the northern West Bank village of Silat al-Harithiya overnight.
Troops of the Duvdevan commando unit and Border Police officers raided Silat al-Harithiya following intelligence provided by the Shin Bet on the suspect’s whereabouts.
According to defense authorities, Muhammad Shalabi, 39, was involved in advancing “significant terror activity” on behalf of Islamic Jihad, including shooting attacks, preparing explosive devices, and delivering funds for terrorism.
⭕️صورة| الشهيد المطارد محمد عادل الشلبي (39 عامًا)، الذي اغتاله الاحتلال الصهيوني داخل منزله في بلدة سيلة الحارثية غرب جنين، صباح اليوم pic.twitter.com/dUlhsdvyS7
— إذاعة الأقصى – عاجل (@Alaqsavoice_Brk) March 8, 2024
The IDF said an assault rifle and other military equipment was captured at Shalabi’s home.
Troops also detained nine more wanted Palestinians during overnight raids across the West Bank, the IDF said. Since October 7, the IDF has said troops have arrested some 3,500 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including more than 1,500 affiliated with Hamas.
Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have risen in the West Bank since the breakout of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza following the October 7 massacre, which saw Hamas terrorists kill about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnap 253.
