40 arrested as IDF wraps up Gaza op

4 gunmen hurt near El-Bureij; 7 Kassam launchers found near Beit Hanun; earlier, Tanzim target killed.

By EHUD ZION WALDOKS, JPOST.COM STAFF, AP
Kassam launchers new 224 (photo credit: IDF [archive])
Kassam launchers new 224
(photo credit: IDF [archive])
A combined IDF force of Golani infantry, tanks and engineering troops wrapped up its operation to root out terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip late Thursday afternoon. During the operation, which began in the early morning hours, four Palestinian gunmen were wounded in clashes with troops near the El-Bureij refugee camp, and 40 terror suspects were arrested. Golani Brigade soldiers also discovered seven Kassam rocket launchers ready to fire during operations near Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip. The troops confiscated the launchers. Overnight Wednesday, the IDF targeted and hit a Kassam rocket squad in northern Gaza just after it fired a Kassam, which landed near the security fence. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, IDF troops and Border Police killed a senior Tanzim member in Jenin overnight Wednesday, the IDF said. The target, who had been planning to carry out terror attacks in Israel in the near future, aimed a pistol at the soldiers, who then shot and killed him. The IDF identified the man as Muhammad Mustafa Muhammad Abu Tsror. However, Palestinian officials said the man killed was a Palestinian policeman driving a wanted terror suspect. They said the Islamic Jihad operative he was driving escaped unharmed despite efforts by undercover soldiers dressed in civilian clothes. No IDF casualties or damage were reported in any of the incidents. Troops also arrested 10 terror suspects throughout the West Bank overnight Wednesday. Jerusalem Post staff and AP contributed to this report.