Two Islamic Jihad Terrorists Killed by Israeli Airstrike in Jenin

Latest Developments

An Israeli airstrike on February 22 killed two terrorists belonging to Islamic Jihad in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that one of the targets, Yasser Hanoun, was en route to carry out a terrorist attack. “A terrorist who was on his way to commit a terror attack and who carried out several shooting attacks over the past weeks was eliminated in an aerial strike in Jenin,” the IDF said. Islamic Jihad identified the second target as Said Jaradat. This is the second IDF airstrike in Jenin that has targeted terrorists in the past week.

Expert Analysis

“The airstrike against a Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist in Jenin is an important operation that helped eliminate a terrorist who was involved in numerous attacks in the past and was planning a future attack. It illustrates the continued threat that the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad represents. The group is active in the West Bank and in Gaza. In recent years, it has emerged as a growing threat, and it is essential that Israel be supported in operations to defeat the terrorist group before it causes greater instability to the West Bank and is able to harm more people.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“The Israeli government is currently prioritizing the removal of Hamas and its allies from power in Gaza, yet the ongoing issue of terrorist activity in the West Bank poses a significant challenge. Terrorist groups like Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades operate freely in some areas of the West Bank due to a weak Palestinian Authority. Ultimately, Israel may need to shift its focus to the West Bank to address the threat posed by these organizations.” —Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal 

Ongoing West Bank Violence

As war persists in Gaza, Palestinian terrorist groups in the West Bank continue to carry out attacks on civilians and Israeli security personnel. On February 22, three Palestinian gunmen attacked a busy highway near Ma’ale Adumim, killing an Israeli man. The incident left at least 11 others injured, including a pregnant woman in critical condition. Israeli forces, including a military reservist who had recently returned from Gaza, killed the attackers.

On January 15, two Palestinian men carried out multiple car-ramming attacks in Israel, killing one woman and injuring at least 17 others. The terrorists unlawfully entered Israel, stole cars in Ra’anana, and intentionally hit pedestrians, including children. Both Palestinian men, who belonged to the same family from the Hamas stronghold of Hebron in the West Bank, were apprehended following the attacks. Although Hamas did not claim responsibility, the Gaza-based group said it viewed the incident as a part of its multi-front conflict with Israel.

On January 7, a Palestinian terrorist killed an Israeli policewoman during an IDF security operation in Jenin. The attack, attributed to Islamic Jihad, also left three police officers injured.

Related Analysis

“West Bank Imminent Terrorist Attack Thwarted by Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Palestinian Car-Rammers Strike in Israel,” FDD Flash Brief “Palestinian Terrorists Kill Israeli Policewoman in West Bank City,” FDD Flash Brief