IDF Eliminates Palestinian Terrorists Responsible for Attacks in West Bank

Latest Developments

• Security Guard’s Killer Eliminated: The IDF eliminated a Palestinian terrorist on November 25 who was responsible for murdering Israeli security guard Gidon Peri with a hammer outside the West Bank Israeli community of Kedumim in 2024. Sultan al-Ghani was killed during a firefight near the West Bank city of Jenin involving IDF troops belonging to the Duvdevan commando unit and members of the elite Yamam counterterrorism unit of the Israeli police. Numerous weapons were seized during the raid, which resulted in the arrest of five of al-Ghani’s alleged accomplices as well.
• PIJ Claims Al-Ghani, Hamas Praises Terrorist: Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the West Bank claimed al-Ghani as a member. Separately, Hamas released a statement mourning al-Ghani, describing him as a “martyr” for carrying out what the terrorist organization called the “Hammer” operation near Kedumim. Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadid claimed that Israel’s recent targeted eliminations in the West Bank represented “a state of panic over rising resistance” in the area.
• Car-Ramming Attacker Killed: The IDF announced on November 24 that security forces had eliminated a Palestinian terrorist, Ala Raouf Shetiyya, in the West Bank city of Nablus. Shetiyya carried out a car-ramming attack near Nablus on May 29, 2024, killing IDF soldiers Staff Sgt. Eliya Hilel and Staff Sgt. Diego Shvisha Harsaj, before fleeing the scene.

FDD Expert Response

“Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s claim that al-Ghani belonged to the group is not surprising. The group’s decision to laud al-Ghani’s acts and that of other Palestinians terrorists is intentional. Paired with the steady stream of online propaganda circulated by affiliates and supporters of Palestinian terrorist factions, this rhetoric forms part of a broader effort to inspire additional attacks against Israeli targets in the West Bank.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Targeted eliminations, weapons seizures, widespread arrests, and even the discovery of rudimentary rocket caches in recent months indicate an uptick in Palestinian terror activity in the West Bank. With attention largely focused upon Gaza and Lebanon, Israeli security officials, despite the success of recent counterterrorism operations, should be wary of dismissing the West Bank as the next flashpoint in Israel’s ongoing multifront war against Iranian-backed terror.” — Aaron Goren, Research Analyst and Editor

FDD Background and Analysis

“West Bank: Israeli security forces kill Palestinian police officer who shot Israeli soldier,” by Joe Truzman

“1 Israeli Killed, 3 Injured in West Bank Terror Attack,” FDD Flash Brief

“The United States Should Apply the Gaza Ceasefire’s Stipulations to West Bank Terrorist Organizations,” by Aaron Goren and Joe Truzman

“Islamic State–linked activity on the rise in Israel and the West Bank,” by Joe Truzman