Forces kill top Hamas terrorist in Jenin raid, Israel says

The head of a Hamas terror network in the West Bank city of Jenin was killed by undercover Border Police officers this morning, authorities say.

The incident comes as the IDF says it has expanded its ongoing counterterrorism raid in the northern West Bank to additional neighborhoods of Jenin. In a first, troops are using “Eitan” armored personnel carriers in Jenin amid the operation, which are more heavy duty than the APCs normally deployed in the West Bank.

This morning, as part of the expanded operation, Border Police officers along with IDF troops attempted to arrest the commander of Hamas’s terror network in Jenin, Issar Saadi, following information on his whereabouts provided by the Shin Bet.

Following an exchange of fire, Saadi and another gunman were killed, and three wanted Palestinians were detained, according to the IDF, police, and Shin Bet.

The troops found an assault rifle, handgun, and several other weapons during scans of the building where Saadi was holed up.

Another gunman was killed in a separate exchange of fire in the same area, the IDF adds.