Holon, Israel – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a mission overnight and into Saturday morning to track down the perpetrator behind the killing of Elhanan Klein. IDF forces, including navy personnel and Israeli Security Services (Shin Bet), engaged in a confrontation with a terrorist cell, resulting in the death of five terrorists, as reported by the IDF.
The targeted cell, which had been under surveillance for six months, was intercepted by Israeli forces just as they were allegedly planning another significant terrorist attack. The clash occurred late Thursday in a densely populated residential area where terrorists were using civilians as cover to avoid capture.
During the intense firefight that lasted over 12 hours, an elite IDF commando was critically injured. Medical teams at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva are currently working to save his life. The operation, led by Menashe Brigade Commander Ayoub Kayouf, employed stealth tactics to surprise and quickly apprehend the terrorists while minimizing civilian involvement and collateral damage.
The IDF conducted a raid in the village of Deir al-Ghusun, targeting the terrorists responsible for an attack near Beit Lid in November, where Elhanan Klein was killed on his way back from reserve duty. The terrorists barricaded themselves in a house and engaged in a shootout with IDF soldiers. In response, IDF forces used firepower, including shoulder-fired missiles and a remotely piloted aircraft, to eliminate the attackers.
Following the operation in Tulkarm, five wanted individuals were arrested in the nearby village of Sebastia near Nablus. The IDF dismantled defenses, breached houses, and searched for terrorists in the area. Engineers eventually used heavy machinery to breach a building where terrorists had taken refuge, leading to further confrontations.
Despite initial assessments that the threat had been neutralized, two terrorists emerged from the debris, prompting additional clashes. One attacker attempted to carry on the assault but was thwarted by an IDF bulldozer operated by the engineering corps. The standoff finally came to a close after sustained exchanges of gunfire.
Avi Ashkenazi contributed to the report.