Jerusalem, Oct 28, (dpa/GNA) – The Israeli military on Saturday, said its forces have killed a senior Hamas commander in the West Bank.
In a joint statement with the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency and Israeli police, the military reported it targeted Islam Jamil Odeh in Tulkarm, in the north-west of the West Bank.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah also confirmed the death of the 29-year-old.
Odeh was identified by both Hamas and the Israeli authorities as the leader of the al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamist organization, in Tulkarm.
The Israeli military said he had planned attacks in the near future.
It said Odeh had opened fire on an Israeli military unit, as it surrounded him on Saturday morning in the city, which is directly on the border to Israel. Israeli troops then reportedly returned fire, killing Odeh.
Odeh’s predecessor was also killed by Israeli forces at the beginning of October.
Tensions have risen in the West Bank, since the attacks mounted by Hamas from the Gaza Strip against Israel on October 7 last year.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that 727 Palestinians have since been killed in Israeli military operations, armed conflict and attacks by extremists.
GNA