IDF, Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Border Police forces operated overnight Thursday in the Palestinian Arab town of Ni'lin, at the residence of terrorist Mutaz Salah al-Khawaja, who committed the terror attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday evening.
Palestinian Arab sources reported that during the operation, the security forces arrested the terrorist's father. In addition, it was reported that a gun battle developed during the operation, and that two Palestinian Arabs were wounded by gunfire.
During the operation, IDF soldiers mapped the home of the terrorist in preparation for its expected demolition.
Three men in their 20s were wounded in Thursday night’s attack on Dizengoff Street and were evacuated to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
On Friday morning, the hospital issued an update which stated that two of the wounded remain in very serious condition and are sedated and connected to a ventilator. The third is listed in light-to-moderate condition.
A preliminary investigation found that the terrorist arrived at a restaurant and opened fire at the diners. According to one of the reports, the terrorist's weapon was jammed and two soldiers who were nearby shot and killed him.
Khawaja is associated with the Hamas organization and was twice in the past imprisoned in Israel for offenses related to the use of weapons. Hours before Thursday’s attack, he recorded himself calling for jihad and expressing his wish to die as a shaheed (martyr).