Israeli Troops Kill Islamic Jihad Terrorists, Revenge Attack Seen Likely

JENIN (Reuters/Hamodia) – The Israeli army killed two Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists in a predawn raid in Shechem, Palestinian and Israeli officials said on Thursday.

PIJ claimed the slain men as members. One was a senior commander of the faction in Jenin, which, along with the nearby city of Shechem, has seen intensified military operations since a series of deadly Palestinian street attacks in Israeli cities in March.

Palestinian media reported that as many as 20 other people were wounded.

Locals said the other man was an off-duty security officer with the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The Israeli military said troops came under fire, and shot back, during a Jenin-area raid to arrest suspected terrorists.

Islamic Jihad, like the large Palestinian faction Hamas, advocates Israel’s destruction.

Following the clash in Shechem, Israeli security officials expressed concern about a retaliatory rocket attack from Gaza, according to media reports. Both PIJ and Hamas threatened revenge.

The defense establishment was preparing for attacks, according to the Kan public broadcaster and Channel 13 quoting unnamed security officials.