Israel’s war on Hamas is not confined to the Gaza Strip. On Friday, Israeli security forces killed three Palestinian terrorists near Jenin, including a senior Hamas operative accused of directing and financing attacks against Israelis, the Israel Defense Forces said.
The strike, carried out jointly by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israeli Air Force, targeted a vehicle carrying Qais Bitawi and two other terrorists. Weapons were recovered from the vehicle, according to the military.
The IDF said Bitawi had worked to advance major terrorist activity against Israeli civilians and security personnel. It said he also maintained operational connections with Hamas figures in Gaza and outside the region.
Bitawi was related to Noor Bitawi, who commanded the Jenin terrorist network before it was dismantled during Operation Iron Wall in May 2025, the army said.
Think Hamas only operates in Gaza? Thought wrong.
Here’s just one example-
Qais Bitawi, a Hamas operative who was also in the former Jenin terrorist network, who was eliminated in an IDF strike in the Jenin area: https://t.co/rJ5nkx3K2s pic.twitter.com/mX8L2p5oTR— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 28, 2026
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation, while Defense Minister Israel Katz said it reflected Israel’s policy of pursuing terrorists rather than waiting for attacks to occur.
Katz said Israeli forces had cleared the Jenin camp of terrorist infrastructure and would maintain their presence there, as in other terrorist strongholds across Judea and Samaria. He credited the more aggressive posture with a major reduction in terrorist activity.
The operation comes as IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has raised readiness levels in Judea and Samaria ahead of the Jewish High Holidays. The military has prepared additional forces for rapid deployment and ordered continued readiness across all fronts.
Israel has stepped up operations in northern Samaria since the Jenin camp emerged as a major hub for armed terrorist groups. The IDF says its objective is to prevent those networks from rebuilding and once again threatening Israeli communities and forces.
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