Hamas Terrorist Released Through Ceasefire Deal Strikes Again in West Bank

Latest Developments

A Hamas field commander who was released from an Israeli jail in a prisoner exchange deal last November struck again on August 12, wounding one Israeli and two Palestinians before he was killed by Israeli forces. The incident occurred in the West Bank city of Qalqilya, when the terrorist, 18-year-old Tariq Daoud, opened fire on the Israeli man near a car repair shop, seriously wounding him and injuring two Palestinians who were also in the vicinity. A statement from the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Daoud was pursued by Israeli troops and eliminated by Col. Netanel Shanka, commander of the Ephraim Brigade, as he attempted to flee the city.

Expert Analysis

“This is yet another case that will stoke Israeli concern about the cost of another prisoner release to retrieve some of the remaining Gaza hostages. As with Yahya Sinwar — the mid-level Hamas enforcer who went free as part of the Gilad Shalit deal in 2011 and ended up masterminding the October 7 attack — Daoud proved to be far more dangerous than was originally assumed.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Daoud’s actions exemplify a troubling pattern in which violence in the West Bank persists despite near-daily Israeli counter-terrorism raids. Furthermore, Israeli security officials should be concerned, as it is becoming increasingly clear that Hamas attacks in the West Bank, especially those in the territory’s north and in the Jordan Valley, have surged over the last six months.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal  

Daoud Released Under Ceasefire Exchange Deal

Daoud was released last November as part of a temporary ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in which 105 hostages were exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners, more than a third of whom were aged between 14 and 17. Most of those released by the Israelis were women and minors and were therefore deemed to be less of a security threat. However, since his release, Israeli forces raided Daoud’s home on numerous occasions.

Following Monday’s shooting incident, the IDF reiterated that Israeli civilians are barred from entering those parts of the West Bank under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA), where many go to take advantage of lower prices for services and goods. “The IDF emphasizes that the entrance of Israeli civilians into Area A is dangerous and prohibited by law,” the military said in a statement. 

Related Analysis

“Israel Issues Warning Over Iran, Hamas Destabilization of West Bank and Jordan,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Eliminates Senior Hamas Member Directing West Bank Terror,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Shuns New Talks on Gaza Ceasefire,” FDD Flash Brief