Israeli Forces Eliminate Two Islamic Jihad Terrorists in Jenin

Latest Developments

Israel said on November 29 that its military forces killed two Islamic Jihad terrorists in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. According to a Haaretz report, Israeli forces surrounded a building where the two men, Muhammed Zubeidi — wanted for the murder of an Israeli citizen — and Hussam Hanoun, were located. The two terrorists then began firing at the Israeli soldiers, who returned fire. Upon entering the building, Israeli forces located the two dead men and seized improvised explosive devices, ammunition, and military gear.

Since the war with Hamas began on October 7, the Israeli military has arrested more than 2,000 wanted persons in the West Bank. Approximately 1,100 of those arrested are affiliated with Hamas.

Expert Analysis

“Over the last two years, the West Bank has emerged as an important player in Iran’s plan to bring terrorism to Israel’s borders. Moreover, this is a deliberate Iranian strategy to exert its influence in the region and exploit the Palestinian Authority’s weak governance in the West Bank.” — Bill Roggio, Senior Fellow and Editor of FDD’s Long War Journal

“Since the beginning of the Gaza war, the Israel Defense Forces has been operating in a defensive posture against other fronts, namely Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. Today’s operation proves the Israeli military has effectively separated the West Bank from other fronts and will continue to work against terrorist groups despite the ongoing war in Gaza.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Iran-Backed Terror Organizations Still Active in West Bank  

According to FDD research, there have been approximately 900 terror attacks in the West Bank since October 7. Since 2021, Gaza-based Hamas and Islamic Jihad have become more dominant in the West Bank, creating pockets of lawlessness and hotbeds of terrorism. The northern West Bank cities of Jenin, Nablus, and Tulkarm are known centers of power for the Iran-backed organizations.

Iran’s Investment in Terror

Iran has provided Palestinian terrorist organizations in the West Bank and Gaza with significant financial support, technical expertise, and training. In an interview published on July 1, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, the secretary-general of Islamic Jihad, acknowledged that with Iran’s assistance, his terrorist organization has established “combat battalions in all Palestinian cities in the West Bank.” In an interview with the BBC on October 7, Ghazi Hamad, a spokesperson for Hamas, said his organization is receiving direct backing from Iran.

Related Analysis

“Support for Hamas Surges in the West Bank,” FDD Flash Brief

“IDF Battles Palestinian Terrorists in West Bank City of Tulkarm,” FDD Flash Brief

“10 Things to Know About Hamas,” FDD Insight