An IDF officer was killed Tuesday in a clash with terrorists near the Gilboa Crossing, in the Jenin area in northern Samaria.
The IDF stated that its observation posts identified two suspects in the area of the security barrier near the Arab village of Jalama. The IDF forces that were rushed to the point surrounded the suspects and commenced an arrest procedure, during which the suspects shot at the troops.
The soldiers shot back at the suspects and neutralized them. As a result of the exchange of fire, an IDF officer was killed.
After the exchange of fire, the Gilboa Crossing was closed to vehicle traffic until Friday morning. The passage of workers and goods will continue as usual.
The two terrorists were identified as Ahmad Ayman Ibrahim and Abdul Rahman Hani Abed.
Not so peaceful partners
Abed was a member of the Palestinian Authority’s security forces, the third time in two weeks that a PA security official is involved in a terror attack. Some reports say that the terrorists were wearing IDF uniforms.
Fatah claimed responsibility for the attack.
Fatah is the organization led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and in turn dominates the politics of the Palestinian Authority.
The fact that Fatah gunmen, especially those who are also members of the Palestinian Authority Police, are involved in so many violent incidents again calls into question whether or not Abbas can be seen as a genuine peace partner.
Worrying uptick in Palestinian attacks
A similar shooting attack occurred in the same area earlier in the day. Terrorists shot at a tractor working for the Ministry of Defense at the security barrier near the Jalama checkpoint. The tractor driver was not injured, but the tractor was heavily damaged.
Kan 11 news recently reported an uptick in the number of shooting attacks in Judea and Samaria since the beginning of the year. About 60 such attacks have occurred since the beginning of 2022, compared to about 50 shooting attacks in all of 2021, 48 in 2020, and 61 in 2019.
With reporting by TPS.
