Jenin retaliation: Israeli soldier killed, another critically wounded

The Israeli military said in a statement that its forces stopped a car for inspection close to Kedumim settlement, which is located near the city of Qalqilya, on Thursday afternoon, when its occupant fired at them and fled.

The forces then chased the Palestinian gunman and “neutralized” him, the statement added. Medics at the scene near Kedumim said the Palestinian had been killed.

The Israeli regime’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency service said the soldier was declared dead at the scene following resuscitation efforts.

This incident is the most recent in a series of Palestinian retaliatory operations that have been carried out this week.

On Wednesday afternoon, Palestinian fighters opened fire from a passing vehicle on a police patrol car close to Nablus. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Israel launched the military incursion into Jenin in the early hours of Monday with more than 1,000 troops to purportedly damage the resistance “infrastructure” in the city and the refugee camp that it hosts.

At least 12 Palestinians and one Israeli trooper were killed in the confrontation, which marked Palestinian resistance groups putting up a strong fight against the invading troops and forcing them to retreat after less than two days.

Israeli troops finally pulled back from Jenin on Tuesday evening following a 44-hour-long incursion.

Hamas reaction

The Gaza-based Hamas resistance movement praised the shooting near Kedumim. It said the Palestinian youth have taken up arms in defense of their nation.

The resistance movement underscored that Israeli settlers are no longer safe and secure on the occupied Palestinian territories.

Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades claims responsibility

Hours later, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed responsibility for the “heroic” operation near Kedumim, describing it as a natural response to the Israeli military onslaught on Jenin.

It identified the fallen Palestinian resistance fighter as Ahmad Yasin Hillal Gheithan, a resident of Qibya village west of Ramallah.

The attack was also in retaliation for the desecration of a mosque and the Holy Qur’an by fanatic Israeli settlers during an incursion into the village of Urif in the occupied West Bank on June 21, it said.

“Whoever sows the seeds murder and criminality against our nation will only reap death, terror and defeat,” the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said.