BICOM

What happened: Yesterday morning Israeli security forces conducted a counter-terror operation in the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank.

• The operation targeted Ibrahim Al-Nabulsi, who was killed in during a three hour gun battle, along with three other assailants.
• Al-Nabulsi was suspected of carrying out a number of shooting attacks aimed at civilians and at IDF soldiers in the Nablus area over recent months, including shooting attacks at Joseph’s Tomb.
• Based on accurate intelligence, troops surround the building he was hiding in and according to the IDF, “fired toward the building using special weaponry, including a shoulder-fired missile,” which resulted in part of the building collapsing on top of the gunmen and killing them.
• In parallel, dozens of Palestinians instigated a violent riot. The rioters threw rocks and explosive devices at Israeli forces, who responded with riot dispersal means and live fire.

Context of Nablus operation: Ibrahim al-Nabulsi, though only 18, had been high on Israel’s wanted list.

• He had successfully eluded the Israeli security forces for half a year, including in February when his terror cell was targeted and most of its members were killed travelling in a car. Al-Nabulsi managed to escape another attempt three weeks ago.
• The operation to target al-Nabulsi was delayed till after Operation Breaking Dawn was completed.
• The Israeli security establishment viewed Nabulsi as a “ticking bomb” as he planned to commit more shooting attacks targeting Israelis.
• A large number of weapons, including bombs and guns, were found in the building that he was hiding in.

Concluding Operation Breaking Dawn: On Monday night Prime Minister Yair Lapid spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. According to Lapid’s office the pair “spoke at length,” with Lapid “expressing his appreciation to the President of Egypt for his extensive efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip”. Lapid also “emphasised that Egypt plays a very significant role in preserving regional stability and security”.

• Also Monday night, Prime Minister Lapid and Defence Minister Benny Gantz delivered their assessment of the operation. Lapid noted, “Throughout the operation, special efforts were made to prevent harm to civilians. The State of Israel will not apologise for using force to protect its citizens, but the death of innocent civilians, especially children, is heart-breaking.”
• He added, “I want to speak directly to the residents of the Gaza Strip and tell them: There is another way. We know how to protect ourselves from anyone who threatens us, but we also know how to provide employment, a livelihood and a life of dignity to those who wish to live by our side in peace.  There is another way to live. The way of the Abraham Accords, of the Negev Summit, of innovation and prosperity, of regional development and joint projects. The choice is yours. Your future is in your hands.”
• Defence Minister Gantz  highlighted three achievements:
  • “Removing the imminent threat from Gaza.
  • “Maintaining our freedom of action in all arenas.
  • “Maintaining deterrence, while sending a clear message to our enemies in each of the arenas: Israel is determined to maintain its sovereignty and protect its citizens.”
• Israeli media revealed that Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) leader Tayseer Jabari, who was killed at the start of the operation, had planned to fire anti-tank missiles at Israeli cars in the Gaza periphery in revenge for the arrest of Bassem Saadi. Intelligence about Jabari’s planned attack came in wake of Saadi’s arrest, not before.
• The IDF also released footage showing how the airstrike targeting the other senior PIJ commander, Khaled Mansour, was aborted several times due to civilians in the vicinity.

Looking ahead: Defence Minister Gantz has warned that if the quiet in the south were to be disrupted again, Israel would use its strength to “whatever extent necessary”.

• Gantz added: “In the future, should it be necessary, we will launch a pre-emptive strike in order to protect the citizens of Israel, and defend its sovereignty and infrastructure. This is true on every front. From Tehran to Khan Yunis.”
• Following the operation, there is renewed speculation over the return of the two Israeli civilians held captive by Hamas – Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed – in addition to the bodies of two Israeli soldiers fallen in action in 2014, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul.
• As part of the Israeli government’s policy of distinction, Palestinians of the West Bank will soon be able to fly on charter flights from Ramon Airport near Eilat to destinations in Turkey.  The pilot programme will begin to operate bi-weekly flights to Istanbul and Antalya starting at the end of August.