19 Wanted Terrorists Captured – One Killed – in Massive Overnight Security Operation

Palestinian fugitives caught in counter-terror raids across Judea, Samaria, the Jerusalem area and elsewhere.

By Gil Tanenbaum, TPS

Israeli security forces from the IDF, Shin Bet and Border Police conducted overnight anti-terrorism raids all over Judea and Samaria, the Jerusalem area, and the region of the Bekaa and Emekim. During the operation, 19 wanted terrorists were taken into custody and one was shot dead in Jerusalem after attempting to stab a police officer.

A number of weapons were also seized.

Israeli security forces suffered no casualties.

The raids were carried out in the villages of Gifatlik, Zebidat, Bir Zeit, Jadora, Ezbet Tabiv, Dahariya, Beit Awa, Deheisha and in the cities of Jericho and Hebron.

Security forces also operated in the village of Beit Fajar in the area of the Etzion regional division where they arrested four of the wanted suspects and confiscated two improvised weapons and a stolen vehicle.

Another wanted person was arrested by forces in Kfar Sheikh Said.

In an operation in the villages of Azira Shamaliya, Borka, Hawara and Silat a Dahar in the area of the Shomron regional division, four wanted persons suspected of terrorist activities were arrested.

Forces also located and confiscated an illegal “Carlo” type weapon. The Carlo is an improvised gun made by terrorists from parts of different weapons and whatever materials may be available.

In the village of Silat a Dahar, explosives were thrown at security forces who responded with necessary measures to disperse the attackers.

IDF soldiers of the Binyamin division operating in the city of Ramallah northwest of Jerusalem arrested two suspected terrorists. Three more fugitives were arrested by Binyamin division forces in other locations too.

Another wanted person was arrested in the village of Zevova in the area of the Menasha regional division. In an activity in the village of Kavatia in the area covered by that brigade, forces fired at armed men who fired at them first. In addition, bricks and stones were thrown at the soldiers, who responded with necessary measures to disperse the attackers.

Soldiers also operated in the village of Deir Abu Meshal in the area of the Efraim regional division north of Jerusalem and arrested three wanted persons suspected of involvement in terrorist activity. In addition, vehicles suspected of being used for terrorist activities and a number of weapons and combat equipment were confiscated.

As for the one wanted person who was killed during a raid in Jerusalem, Israel police revealed Monday that overnight the Border Police undercover agents shot dead a terrorist suspect after he attempted to stab one of them. The attack on the police occurred in the Kfar Akab village in eastern Jerusalem while police were trying to apprehend the suspect.

The police stated that its undercover operatives were on the scene to locate weapons that they were preparing to search the home of the suspect at the time of the shooting.

The Police said that local Arabs identified the man who was killed as 20 year old Muhammad al-Shaham, a holder of an Israeli ID card.

Apparently, when the police forces closed in on the target, his family members came out of their home and confronted them. Suddenly the main suspect came out holding a knife and tried to stab police officers who opened fire. The suspect received emergency medical treatment on the scene by police paramedics and was evacuated to a mobile military clinic where he was pronounced dead.

Also during the course of the police raid in Akab, local residents were recorded throwing stones and objects from the roofs of the houses at the armored vehicles of the force.