Two Palestinians suspected of carrying out a shooting attack earlier this week were killed in clashes with Israeli forces in Nablus in the West Bank on Friday, according to the Shin Bet, Border Police, and IDF. Two additional Palestinians were injured and three others were arrested amid the clashes, according to Palestinian reports.
No Israeli personnel were injured in the clashes.
#عاجل مصادر محلية: "اكتشاف قوات خاصة للاحتلال في نابلس واندلاع اشتباكات مسلحة مع مقاومين" pic.twitter.com/R2elaqP7v4
— القسطل الاخباري | القدس (@AlQastalps) July 7, 2023
The two Palestinians killed in the clashes were identified as Hamza Maqbul and Khairy Shaheen and were suspected of carrying out a shooting attack that targeted the Hashomronim neighborhood near Nablus on Wednesday. No injuries were reported in the attack.
"The security forces will continue to act everywhere and at all times to close the circle on anyone who has carried out attacks against the citizens of Israel and the security forces," said the Shin Bet, Border Police, and IDF in a joint statement.
The Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military branch of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, stated that Maqbul and Shaheen were members of the brigades, warning that the response to their deaths "is coming and will not be delayed."
Israeli officials welcome Nablus raid
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant expressed appreciation for the thwarting of the two terrorists during a conversation with the commander of IDF Central Command Maj.-Gen. Yehuda Fuchs and the commander of the Judea and Samaria Division Brig.-Gen. Avi Bluth on Friday, stating "just as we acted in the refugee camp in Jenin, and this morning in the Kasbah of Nablus, so we will act everywhere - with determination, lethality, and strength."
"There won't be a circle that won't be closed, and there won't be a terrorist who won't pay the heaviest price."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the raid in Nablus as well, stating "any terrorist who dares to spill the blood of Israelis will find himself in one of two places - either in the grave or in prison."
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan spoke with Samaria Brigade commander Shimon Siso welcomed the raid as well, calling on checkpoints to be set up throughout the northern West Bank in order to stop shooting attacks.