Israeli security forces entered Jenin on Monday night and demolished the home of Ra’ad Hazem, the terrorist who carried out the Dizengoff shootings earlier this year.
The demolition was done by IDF and Israel Border Police forces.
A large number of IDF soldiers and vehicles entered the city, with Palestinian media reporting that this was the largest force to enter the city in months.
It was carried out after the Supreme Court rejected a petition by the family’s neighbors not to destroy the home. The home was mapped by troops in April.
شاهد| اشتباكات بين مسلحين فلسطينيين وقوات الاحتلال التي تقتحم هذه اللحظات مدينة جنين. pic.twitter.com/v4aoCzW2tR
— وكالة صفا (@SafaPs) September 5, 2022
A controversial tactic, Israeli officials say home demolitions are a key deterrent to stopping other potential attackers, but Palestinians and human rights groups criticize the army for using collective punishment by demolishing the homes of the terrorist’s families.
During the operation, violent clashes broke out with local residents throwing stones, and explosive devices and intense gunfire toward troops.
According to Palestinian reports, a 29-year-old man, identified as Muhammad Sabaaneh, was killed in the clashes and a 16-year-old was wounded.
Videos published by Palestinian media showed Palestinian gunmen exchanging fire with Israeli soldiers. A number of injuries were reported among Palestinians in the clashes.
No Israeli troops were injured.
IDF activity in the West Bank
Throughout the night, the IDF arrested 10 suspects in connection with terrorist activities, including in the Palestinian towns of Funduq, Hares, Wadi Siman and in Hebron. Four of the suspects were arrested in the town of Luban e-Sharkiya and Ein Umm-Ashrayet. Four more were arrested in Kissan and Jabl Mallawah.
The IDF also entered the Jiftlik homes of the three men who carried out a terror attack on a bus in the Jordan Valley earlier this week. In them, they found weapons and equipment.
In April, Hazem killed three people and injured 11 more after shooting at bars and businesses on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv.
Hazem was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli forces nine hours after he first opened fire toward Ilka Bar on the busy street.
He was located hiding near a mosque in Jaffa by two Shin Bet officers. According to reports, Hazem pulled out his gun and fired 10 bullets toward the officers, who returned fire and killed him. Walla News reported that it is believed that he knew the area and hoped to hide in the mosque during the first Friday prayers of Ramadan.
Hazem was driven from the Jenin area to Umm el-Fahm after he crossed illegally through the fence, and, from there, he took a bus to Tel Aviv.
His father, Fathi, has been on the run since the attack. Israeli security forces have pursued a number of Hazem’s other family members since the attack, including his brothers and uncle.
The attack on one of Tel Aviv’s popular nightlife streets came during a wave of deadly terror attacks that claimed the lives of 20 Israelis in the spring.
The IDF launched Operation Break the Wave in an attempt to crack down on Palestinian terrorism in the West Bank, with a focus on Jenin and Nablus.
Over the four months since it began, over 2,050 counterterrorism operations have been carried out, during which over 1,500 wanted individuals have been apprehended and hundreds of weapons seized.
Throughout the night, the IDF arrested 10 suspects in connection with terrorist activities, including in the Palestinian towns of Funduq, Hares, Wadi Siman and in Hebron. Four of the suspects were arrested in the town of Luban e-Sharkiya and Ein Umm-Ashrayet. Four more were arrested in Kissan and Jabl Mallawah.
The IDF also entered the Jiftlik homes of the three men who carried out a terror attack on a bus in the Jordan Valley earlier this week. In them, they found weapons and equipment.
Response from IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi
Speaking at a military conference on Monday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Aviv Kohavi laid some of the blame for the violence on the Palestinian Authority.
“Part of the increase in terrorism stems from the helplessness of the Palestinian Authority security forces, leading to a lack of governance in certain areas of Judea and Samaria, and these are fertile grounds for the growth of terrorism,” he said.
“Part of the increase in terrorism stems from the helplessness of the Palestinian Authority security forces, leading to a lack of governance in certain areas of Judea and Samaria, and these are fertile ground for the growth of terrorism.”
IDF Chief of Staff (Lt.-Gen.) Aviv Kohavi
“As always, even in face of this development, our test is protecting the citizens of Israel, and our mission is to thwart terrorism. We will reach every city, neighborhood, alley, house or basement for that purpose,” Kohavi continued.
“Our activity will continue and we are prepared to increase it as needed,” he said.