Palestinian Militant Killed In Israeli West Bank Raid
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A Palestinian gunman fired at Israeli soldiers and military police during a raid in the occupied West Bank on Monday and the Israeli forces shot and killed the attacker in response, the army and police said in a statement.
The exchange of fire took place in Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, which Israeli forces entered to seize a suspected militant.
“(The) suspect opened fire at security forces,” the army said. “The forces fired towards the perpetrator. In the exchange, the gunman was killed.”
Two firearms were found at the scene, the army added. No Israeli troops were injured during the operation.
Palestinian health ministry officials confirmed the death and named the man killed as Basel al-Araj. They said his body had been retained by Israeli authorities.
A police spokeswoman said the 31-year-old gunman was head of a squad that had planned to launch attacks on Israeli targets.
At least 237 Palestinians have been killed in Israel and the Palestinian territories in a period of sporadic violence that began in October 2015 but has tapered off in recent months. Two American tourists and 37 Israelis have also been killed.
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