Description

Photos:
"A poster of Ahmad Nasser Jarrar irculating on social media in the wake of his death." Published by Maan News

"The terrorist, Ahmed Nassar Jarrar". Published by YNET

"M-16 assault rifle used by the terrorist" (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office) Published by YNET

"Israeli forces operating in Yamun overnight" Published by YNET

"IDF troops searching for the terrorist in Yamun" (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office) Published by YNET

"Jarrar's victim, Rabbi Raziel Shevah" Published by YNET
"Structure Jarrar hid in" Published by YNET
"Defense Minister Lieberman" (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Published by YNET

"Raziel Shevah's parents meet with Yamam fighter hurt during operations to capture cell behind their son's murder" (Photo: Zohar Shachar) Published by YNET
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JENIN (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces assassinated Palestinian fighter Ahmad Nasser Jarrar during a wide scale military operation in the al-Yamoun town in the northern occupied West Bank district of Jenin on Tuesday at dawn.

Since an Israeli settler was shot and killed last month while driving near Nablus, Israeli forces have embarked on a manhunt for Jarrar -- the alleged main suspect in the shooting -- who had managed to evade capture for weeks.

In January, during a raid searching for Jarrar, Israeli forces shot and killed his cousin Ahmad Ismail Jarrar near the Jarrar family’s home in the Wadi Bruqin neighborhood of Jenin city.

On Saturday, Israeli forces shot and killed Ahmed Samir Abu Obeid, 19, during another raid on Wadi Bruqin.

The governor of the Jenin district, Ibrahim Ramadan, said in a statement on Tuesday that he was informed by the Palestinian liaison of the killing of Ahmad Jarrar, adding that his body was being held by Israel.

Ramadan added that the Israeli military operation in Jenin began around 12 a.m. across three villages of the district and ended up in the al-Yamoun town before dawn.

Israeli news website Ynet reported that around 3 a.m., the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal intelligence agency, received intelligence that Jarrar was hiding in building complex in al-Yamoun.

Israeli forces reportedly called for Jarrar to exit the building complex, and when he did not, forces launched at least one missile at the building. Shortly after the missile was fired, forces then began demolishing the building with a bulldozer.

“When Jarrar finally came out of one building, he was armed with an M-16 assault rifle and a bag full of explosives, prompting the Israeli forces to open fire and kill him,” Ynet said.

Ynet added that Israeli forces also arrested several Palestinians hwo they accused of helping Jarrar hide.

Clashes between young Palestinian men and armed Israeli forces erupted in al-Yamoun following the assassination of Jarrar.

A Red Crescent official, Mahmoud al-Saadi, told Ma’an that seven Palestinians suffered from severe tear-gas inhalation during clashes.

Condolences for Jarrar and his family were announced via the loudspeakers of the mosques of Jenin City, while schools and stores closed its gates in mourning as a general strike was announced in the city.

The Islamic Jihad movement said in a statement that Jarrar “represented the real method of resistance which Palestinians live and that Jarrar’s victory would only be accomplished by uprooting the occupation and expelling it.”

The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, presented its condolences of Jarrar describing him as the “leader of the al-Qassam cell that carried out the heroic Nablus attack weeks ago.”

The Hamas movement also said in a statement that it presents its condolences of Jarrar who “confused the security of the occupation.”

Hamas called upon resistance fighters in the West Bank to “respond to the Israeli crime of assassinating the resisting hero Ahmad Nasr Jarrar.”

Jarrar, who is reported to be in his mid-20s is the 10th Palestinian to have been killed by Israeli forces this year. He is the son of Nasser Jarrar, also a Hamas fighter, who was killed by Israel in 2002 in the Second Intifada.
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Terrorist behind murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevah killed

Israeli forces open fire at Ahmed Nassar Jarrar after he advances on them armed with an M-16 and a bag full of explosives; the terrorist led the cell that murdered Rabbi Shevah near Havat Gilad in early January; Hamas claims responsibility for Havat Gilad murder.

by Yoav Zitun and Elior Levy for YNET
|Last update: 02.06.18 , 12:20

Israeli security forces early Tuesday shot and killed Ahmed Nassar Jarrar, the head of the terror cell responsible for the murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevah from Havat Gilad, leading Hamas's military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, to claim responsibility for the attack.

Around 3am, the Shin Bet received intelligence that Jarrar was hiding in a complex of buildings in the village of Yamun, 9 kilometers west of Jenin, in the West Bank.

Upon arriving at the scene, troops from the Border Police's counterterrorism unit Yamam called on Jarrar to come out.

Jarrar personally took part in the drive-by shooting that claimed the life of Rabbi Shevah, refused to surrender, leading the forces to launch at least one missile at the building, following which combat engineering troops started demolishing the house with a bulldozer to pressure him to exit the structure.

When Jarrar finally came out of one building, he was armed with an M-16 assault rifle and a bag full of explosives, prompting the Israeli forces to open fire and kill him.

The Israeli troops also arrested several Palestinian accomplices who helped Jarrar hide.

The Givati Brigade's reconnaissance battalion provided support to the Yamam forces. No Israeli troops were hurt in the incident.

"We've come full circle to send a message to all attackers: The IDF's long arm will reach everyone, at any time and in any place," said the commander of the Givati Brigade's reconnaissance battalion, Lt. Col. Ivri Elbaz.

A Shin Bet investigation of detained cell members has revealed that the cell was involved in other attempts to carry out and plan terrorist attacks.

In addition to the cell members, more than 10 other Palestinians were arrested on suspicion they helped Jarrar evade Israeli security forces.

The interrogation of the cell members and their alleged accomplices eventually led to Israeli forces to Jarrar's hiding place.

Defense official believe Jarrar was hiding in the Jenin house Yamam raided two weeks ago, but was able to escape during the fire exchange between Israeli forces and his accomplices. One of his accomplices was killed in that exchange.

Since, he has gone through several different hiding places. The Shin Bet believes the M-16 he was armed with when he was shot dead could be the same weapon used to shoot over 20 bullets (almost an entire magazine) at Rabbi Raziel Shevah's vehicle.

The Shin Bet investigation is still ongoing and a gag order has been placed on any additional details.

Hundreds of Palestinian residents gathered at the scene after the Israeli troops pulled out.

The governor of the Palestinian city of Jenin said they had been informed by Israeli authorities that Jarrar was dead. He condemned the Israeli forces for killing him.

During the month that followed the January 9 attack that claimed Rabbi Shevah's life, IDF troops conducted an extensive search for Jarrar and his accomplices. They closed in on three other houses where Jarrar was believed to be hiding before finally locating him in Yamun.

Jarrar personally took part in the drive-by shooting that claimed the life of Rabbi Shevah.

The terrorist's father, Nassar Jarrar, was a senior Hamas commander in the West Bank who was killed in a clash with Israeli troops in 2002.

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman praised the troops, writing on Twitter that "The score has been settled. I congratulate the IDF, the Shin Bet and the Yamam for a successful operation. It was clear it was only a matter of time until we hurt the head of the cell that murdered Rabbi Raziel Shevah. I hope and believe we will soon get to the murderer of Rabbi Itamar Ben Gal as well."

Lieberman noted that "we also arrested the entire supporting circle, all sorts of accomplices of that cell, and we completed the eradication of a significant terror cell."

He accused the Palestinian leadership of supporting terrorism. "The terrorists are embraced by the entire Palestinian leadership. I'm not talking about Hamas, I'm specifically talking about Fatah. Coming to offer condolences over the death of the terrorist's cousin were all of the senior Fatah officials—Mahmoud al-Aloul, the governor of Jenin, and all of the others. The media also unequivocally supports terrorism. They're embracing and encouraging all terror acts," he charged.

The perpetrators of terror acts, the defense minister said, "are seen as heroes. There's an enormous monetary incentive. You have to understand that these terrorists' families will immediately receive NIS 10,000-12,000 to their accounts, which is five or six times the average wages in the PA."

Lieberman also criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who "is carrying out diplomatic terrorism against us in all international bodies, including his upcoming appearance at the UN Security Council."

However, he added, "I think even Abbas is starting to realize he has something to lose."

President Reuven Rivlin also welcomed the operation, saying "We appreciate and salute the security forces—the IDF, the Shin Bet and the Yamam—who in a complex operation and with courage fought for our security this morning. I have no doubt the murderer of Itamar Ben Gal and his accomplices will also be pursued until captured. The State of Israel will never surrender to terrorism and will get to the last of the accomplices for the safety of our citizens."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined the chorus of praise to Israel's security forces "for the determined and complex operation they carried out last night to apprehend the terrorist, who was ultimately eliminated."

"Several days ago I told Rabbi Raziel Shevah's widow that we would catch the murderers and last night the mission was completed," Netanyahu continued.

"The security forces will catch whoever tries to attack Israeli citizens and we will deal with them to the fullest extent of the law. So it will be with the murderers of Rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal."

'Happiness mixed with sadness'

Ilana Shevah, Rabbi Shevah's mother, said Tuesday morning that she felt "happiness mixed with sadness" at the death of the terrorist who killed her son.

"I have no words to thank the forces. This wasn't a simple operation, it was a sort of score settling," the bereaved mother said. "I'm proud of our people, our army, and of the determination to avenge the blood of my son Raziel. This won't bring back my child, but the terrorist will not continue carrying out attacks and murdering Jews."

Shevah's widow, Yael, called for more action. "We haven't solved the problem. Okay, so one terrorist was eliminated. What about all of those sitting at home right now and waiting to go and murder another Jew? This is the feeling I get up with every morning," she told Army Radio.

"When the news of the capture of my husband's murderer comes after another murder, it reduces (the impact of) the success," she added, referring to the murder of Rabbi Itamar Ben Gal on Monday.

>b> Reuters contributed to this report.