One of the six Arabs killed in last night\'s operations was 32-year-old Asm\'ila Ahmed a-Kumtzan, a senior operative on Israel\'s wanted list. He headed the operations of the Popular Resistance Committee and was involved in shelling Israeli towns and shooting at IDF soldiers. A-Kumtzan also smuggled large amounts of weapons into PLO-controlled areas from Egypt.
Last night\'s battles began at 6:00 PM near Elei Sinai, south of Ashkelon, where IDF forces detected three Arabs sneaking towards the town fence. The soldiers opened fire and killed them. The Arabs were carrying large knives which the IDF surmises were for carrying out a stabbing attack in the community, or cutting the fence to help another armed cell enter. A Hamas internet site reported that the terrorists were on a Hamas mission. Several months ago, two Israeli civilians were murdered in Elei Sinai when terrorists succeeded in penetrating the town fence.
A-Kumtzan was killed in a second attack in the same area. He and two others were detected after they penetrated a security fence. Israel intelligence agents opened fire at them and, after a gun battle, killed them. The Arabs were found carrying explosive belts, rifles, hand grenades and telescopes.
Last night\'s battles began at 6:00 PM near Elei Sinai, south of Ashkelon, where IDF forces detected three Arabs sneaking towards the town fence. The soldiers opened fire and killed them. The Arabs were carrying large knives which the IDF surmises were for carrying out a stabbing attack in the community, or cutting the fence to help another armed cell enter. A Hamas internet site reported that the terrorists were on a Hamas mission. Several months ago, two Israeli civilians were murdered in Elei Sinai when terrorists succeeded in penetrating the town fence.
A-Kumtzan was killed in a second attack in the same area. He and two others were detected after they penetrated a security fence. Israel intelligence agents opened fire at them and, after a gun battle, killed them. The Arabs were found carrying explosive belts, rifles, hand grenades and telescopes.