A large Israeli military operation in Nablus, which began on the early hours of June resulted in the killing of 12 Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad leaders in the city.
Palestinian medical sources announced that among the dead were leader of Fatah’s military wing in the West Bank, Naif Abu Sharakh; top leader of Hamas’ military wing, J’afar Al-Ma’sri; and leader of Islamic Jihad’s military wing, Fadi Bajit.
The three were found and killed on Friday along with four other Fatah activists in their hiding-place in Nablus. Three others were killed in separate incidents during the operation.
According to Israeli security sources, Naif Abu Sharakh was responsible for at least two terror attacks – in Tel Aviv (January 2003) and in Kfar Saba (November 2002) – in which 25 people died and dozens were injured.
The sources also indicated that Al-Ma’sri and Bajit were in charge of preparing explosive devices, which were later used for terror attacks.
Four other Fatah members, who were killed in the Friday incident, were, according to Israeli sources, responsible for the recent wave of young suicide-bombers sent to explode at army checkpoints.
It was reported that during the operation an explosive device, weighing some 25-40 pounds, was found in a house in Nablus.
The operation ended early on June 27.