(Updated Wednesday 9:45 AM) IDF forces shot and killed five Arabs last night, during an operation in the Tul Karem district. One of the men killed was Tarak al-Za'al, a senior member of Yasser Arafat's Tanzim terror organization. Za'al was involved in planning the shooting attack at a Hadera banquet hall during a Bat-Mitzvah this past January that left six Israelis dead.
The confrontation began when Border Policeman arrived at Tarak's home in an attempt to bring the wanted Arab into custody. When Tarak tried to escape he was shot dead. Another two Arabs died when soldiers shot at them after they tried to run over the troops with their car. The car veered off the road and slammed into a wall. A fourth Arab was shot and killed when he climbed on top of an IDF armored vehicle and hurled a firebomb. Another Arab died at some point during one of the shooting incidents. Five other wanted Arabs were taken into custody during the operation.
In Gaza, two Arab gunmen were killed following their attempt to infiltrate the Jewish community of Kfar Darom. Security forces spotted the men as they approached the community and opened fire, forcing them to flee. The two Arabs then took up positions in an abandoned house and began shooting at the soldiers. Following a prolonged gunbattle, an IDF demolition crew was called in and the structure was leveled with the terrorists inside, killing them both.
The confrontation began when Border Policeman arrived at Tarak's home in an attempt to bring the wanted Arab into custody. When Tarak tried to escape he was shot dead. Another two Arabs died when soldiers shot at them after they tried to run over the troops with their car. The car veered off the road and slammed into a wall. A fourth Arab was shot and killed when he climbed on top of an IDF armored vehicle and hurled a firebomb. Another Arab died at some point during one of the shooting incidents. Five other wanted Arabs were taken into custody during the operation.
In Gaza, two Arab gunmen were killed following their attempt to infiltrate the Jewish community of Kfar Darom. Security forces spotted the men as they approached the community and opened fire, forcing them to flee. The two Arabs then took up positions in an abandoned house and began shooting at the soldiers. Following a prolonged gunbattle, an IDF demolition crew was called in and the structure was leveled with the terrorists inside, killing them both.