The Palestinian terrorist eliminated, after firing on a joint IDF, Israel Police & Shin Bet operation, has been identified in the media as 29 yr-old Muhammad al-Fakih.

By i24news

A Palestinian in a Hamas terror cell involved in the death Rabbi Michael Mark of was killed during an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation overnight near the West Bank city of Hebron, Israel’s Channel 2 news reports.

“A terrorist behind the attack in which Rabbi Michael Mark was assassinated on July 1 was killed on Tuesday night during exchanges of fire with soldiers,” a statement from the IDF said.

The Palestinian killed has been identified in Palestinian media as 29-year-old Mohamed al-Fakih, from the village of Surif, to the north of Hebron. Three others have been arrested as well.

The IDF statement said that Kalashnikov-type weapons and improvised grenades were found in the home where al-Fakih.

Rabbi Michael Mark was killed and his wife and two children were wounded when al-Fakih fired on their car south of Hebron in the West Bank. The family lived in the nearby settlement of Otniel.

Israeli security forces inspect the scene where an Israeli was killed and three of his relatives were wounded after a suspected Palestinian gunman opened fire at their car, south of Hebron on July 1, 2016. – Photo: Hazem Bader/AFP

Channel 2reports that one of the men arrested, 38-year-old Mohamed Majid Amaira, was a member of the Palestinian Authority’s security service. He was reportedly arrested in the days following the attack and provided investigators with information leading to the other cell members.

The two other men arrested were al-Fakih’s brother Sahib, who admitted that he helped his brother hide and also stashed weapons on his behalf, and their cousin Ma’ez.

The IDF said that Israeli forces surrounded a house in the village with Mohamed al-Fakih inside. He opened fire on the soldiers from inside and the IDF fired anti-tank missiles into the building in response.  After firing the missiles, a bulldozer was used to demolish part of the house.  Al-Fakih’s body was later found inside.

The remains of the house where Mohammad al-Fakih exchanged fire with Israeli forces on July 26, 2016. – Photo: IDF spokesperson’s Unit

The Shin Bet security agency said that al-Fakih had served time in Israeli jail for links to the Islamic Jihad movement. While in jail he moved to the ranks of Hamas.

According to the Times of Israel, five Palestinians were injured as riots broke out during the operation. There were no injuries among Israeli troops, media reports said.

Israeli forces shut down the electricity and internet connection near the village where the raid was taking place, reports further added.

This is a developing story

View original i24news publication at:
http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/121103-160727-west-bank-clashes-erupt-as-idf-reportedly-raids-home-of-terror-suspect