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IDF troops raid Jenin home of terrorist who killed 3 in Tel Aviv; reports of gunfire
Israeli security forces carried out a raid on Saturday on the West Bank home of the terrorist who carried out the deadly shooting attack in Tel Aviv, Palestinian media reported.
According to reports, gunfire was heard in the area where the troops were operating.
There was no immediate word on any Israeli casualties.
The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry said four Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fire and had been taken for treatment at Jenin hospitals.
All four are in stable condition, the Health Ministry added.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it was carrying out an operation in the city of Jenin and the adjacent refugee camp, but gave no further details.
Jenin is widely seen as a hotbed of terrorist activity. The gunmen who carried out the deadly attacks in Bnei Brak last month and Tel Aviv on Thursday both came from the Jenin area.
According to the Palestinian reports, the troops gathered evidence and questioned relatives of Ra’ad Hazem, who killed three people when he opened fire at a Tel Aviv bar on Thursday evening.
The reports said that relatives of Hazem are suspected of assisting him in preparations for the attack as well as helping him carry it out.
The Shin Bet security agency has said Hazem had “no clear organizational affiliation, no security background and no previous arrests.”
According to Palestinian media reports, the terrorist’s family has two houses in the area — one in the Jenin refugee camp and another in the village of Deir Ghazaleh.
Hazem’s father, Fathi, is a former security prisoner who previously served as an officer in the Palestinian Authority’s security services in Jenin.
Israel is said to be keen to speak Fathi Hazem, but he has refused a request to be questioned.
On Friday, Fathi praised his son’s actions to a crowd gathered in front of the family home.
“Your eyes will see the victory soon. You will see the change. You will achieve your freedom… God, liberate the Al-Aqsa Mosque from the desecration of the occupiers,” Fathi said, according to footage.
The raids came hours after Israel Defense Forces chief Aviv Kohavi said the military will ramp up activities in the northern West Bank, following several deadly terror incidents involving Palestinians from the Jenin region and as officials reportedly believe the Palestinian Authority is losing control of the area.
Earlier on Friday, Kohavi instructed the IDF to expand and increase offensive operations in the West Bank, especially in northern towns from which recent terrorists came.
Last week, Israeli troops attempted to arrest a team of terrorists on its way to an attack. Three Islamic Jihad members were killed in the ensuing firefight near Jenin and four Israeli soldiers were injured.
According to the Kan public broadcaster, the Palestinian Authority is being challenged for control of the area around Jenin by both the Islamic Jihad terror group and members of Fatah, the Palestinian faction ostensibly led by PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
Israeli officials want the PA to crack down on terror in the area, but fear it will not be able to, according to Friday news reports.
On Saturday, the IDF announced that three further troop companies will be sent to reinforce defensive operations in the “seam zone” border area along the Green Line separating Israel and the West Bank.
Kohavi told soldiers on Friday night that the terrorist who carried out Thursday’s terror shooting in Tel Aviv crossed into Israel through a gap in the barrier.
Officials suspect Hazem was driven from Jenin to the northern Israeli town of Umm al-Fahm through a gap in the fence, and from there took a bus to Tel Aviv to carry out the attack, according to Hebrew media reports.
![](https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2022/04/AP22097676260281-640x400.jpg)
A woman reacts at the scene of a terror attack In Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, April 7, 2022 (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit).
The suspect who drove Hazem is known to security forces, the Ynet news site said.
There are many gaps in the West Bank barrier, and the IDF has dispatched thousands of troops in recent weeks to the seam zone area to prevent Palestinians from crossing into Israel.
On Friday, troops thwarted an attempt to smuggle an M16 assault rifle and ammunition from the West Bank into Israel near the northern city of Tulkarm.
Related: Terror attack bared West Bank barrier’s gaps, but some say holes help keep the peace
Hazem went on the run after the attacks and was found hiding near a mosque in Jaffa after an hourslong manhunt involving hundreds of security officers. While initially raising his hands in surrender, Hazem reportedly then drew a gun and opened fire on the officers, who fired back and killed him.
Thursday’s shooting killed three and broke a tense calm that had set in since March 28, when a Palestinian terrorist opened fire in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bnei Brak, killing five people.
Other attacks in recent weeks in Hadera and Beersheba, by Arab Israelis thought to have been inspired by the Islamic State, left six others dead.
Police and security officials reportedly said Friday there are still several serious warnings about terror attacks being planned.
According to Channel 12, the warnings are not specific, but indicated a general threat of more attacks.
The escalation has come amid the Muslim holy month of Ramadan — often a period of high tension in Israel and the West Bank. Israel has ramped up security measures in response to the attacks and deployed additional forces to the West Bank, Gaza border and major cities such as Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.