Two leading terrorists were killed, as was an IDF officer, during an Israeli anti-terror operation in Shechem (Nablus) last night.
The unit arrived in Shechem for what has become a routine, if dangerous, mission of searching for and capturing wanted terrorists. Specifically sought were two commanders of the Popular Front terrorist organization in Shechem, who planned the failed suicide attempt in Jerusalem last week and were in the midst of planning another one. One of the two wanted terrorists opened fire on the force while a bomb was hurled at it as well, killing the officer. The forces returned fire, killing the terrorist, and the second one escaped into a building in which were hiding others of his "colleagues." A gunfire exchange ensued, in which three Arabs were killed, including the second terrorist who had been pursued; three Israeli soldiers were hit as well.
One soldier was wounded seriously - he was operated on this morning - while another is listed in moderate condition, and another officer was lightly hurt. The name of the fallen officer was released for publication late this morning: IDF naval commando Lt. Moran Vardi, 25, from Binyamina. He will be buried tomorrow afternoon in the Binyamina Military Cemetery.
The unit arrived in Shechem for what has become a routine, if dangerous, mission of searching for and capturing wanted terrorists. Specifically sought were two commanders of the Popular Front terrorist organization in Shechem, who planned the failed suicide attempt in Jerusalem last week and were in the midst of planning another one. One of the two wanted terrorists opened fire on the force while a bomb was hurled at it as well, killing the officer. The forces returned fire, killing the terrorist, and the second one escaped into a building in which were hiding others of his "colleagues." A gunfire exchange ensued, in which three Arabs were killed, including the second terrorist who had been pursued; three Israeli soldiers were hit as well.
One soldier was wounded seriously - he was operated on this morning - while another is listed in moderate condition, and another officer was lightly hurt. The name of the fallen officer was released for publication late this morning: IDF naval commando Lt. Moran Vardi, 25, from Binyamina. He will be buried tomorrow afternoon in the Binyamina Military Cemetery.