Islamic Jihad Terrorist Involved in the Murders of Three Israelis Eliminated by IDF

Latest Developments                                                             

• Two Terrorists Killed: The IDF announced the elimination on April 16 of Muhammad Zakarneh, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist from Qabatiya involved in the murders of three Israelis in the West Bank town of Funduq on January 6. The National Counterterrorism Unit (Yamam) of the Israeli police, along with the Shin Bet intelligence agency and the IDF, tracked Zakarneh and PIJ terrorist Marouh Khazima to a cave in the Misilyah area, south of Jenin, where they were hiding. Israeli forces killed the pair after an exchange of fire, arrested other suspects who aided the terrorists, and recovered arms, ammunition, and bulletproof vests.
• Weapons Smuggling in the Jordan Valley: The IDF successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle weapon parts into the Jordan Valley. Security forces were deployed to the area following surveillance that identified a suspect, leading to the discovery of a bag containing M-16 rifle components.
• IDF Reinforces West Bank Presence, Demolishes Terrorist’s Home: The IDF said on April 11 that it would reinforce the West Bank with six additional companies during the Passover holiday. Separately, the IDF announced on April 16 that it had demolished the home of the terrorist Hammam Hashash, who was responsible for the murder of IDF Captain Alon Sacgiu in a roadside bomb attack in Jenin on June 27, 2024. The attack also resulted in the injury of 16 soldiers.

FDD Expert Response

“In recent weeks, the West Bank has remained largely overshadowed by other major fronts, namely Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. Nevertheless, the territory continues to experience activity. Notably, IDF operations — particularly in the northern West Bank — appear to be yielding progress. Although terrorist activity has not been entirely eradicated, there has been a discernible decline in the number of attacks. This development indicates that the IDF’s ongoing operations are producing measurable results.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“In Mohammed Zakarneh, the IDF eliminated a key Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist. Its success illustrates how Israel can track down terrorists and thwart terror threats in the West Bank, reflecting Israel’s diligent efforts to prevent the terror threat from Gaza from spilling over.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“IDF Demolishes 23 Buildings Housing Terrorist Infrastructure in Jenin,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iron Wall’: Israel Swoops on West Bank in New War Goal,” FDD Flash Brief

“Mapping Terrorism in the West Bank,” by Joe Truzman