Islamic Jihad claims responsibility: 12 Israelis killed in Palestinian operation in Hebron

The Islamic Jihad in the Palestinian territories carried out one of the most successful and precise operations against the Israeli forces since the eruption of the Palestinian Intifada in September 2000, when two members of the said movement were able to attack an Israeli military position that falls under direct Israeli security control.

Israel announced the death of 12 members of its soldiers and settlers including the leader of al-Khalil contingent Drour Vinburg in the battle which was fought by two Palestinians and lasted for two hours and ended by killing them at midnight yesterday.

The clashes started at 7:30 evening and continued until midnight during which the Israeli media was following up the continued clashes.

The military correspondent of the Israeli TV described the Palestinian ambush as "precisely planned for and executed on the main crossing between Kreyat Arba and al-Ibraheimi mosque." The Islamic Jihad issued a statement in which it claimed responsibility for this operation "which coincides with the 8th anniversary of the al-Aqsa mosque (events) to confirm that this operation comes in the series of its operations to retaliate the assassination of its leader Eyad Sawalha in Jenin and the Israeli crimes against the Palestinians in Jenin, Nablus and Gaza and all our villages and camps."

Meantime, one Palestinian youth was killed when an Israeli tank opened fire on him in Nablus while he was throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers. The same source added that Omran al-Shellah ( 16 year old) was killed immediately and two of his colleagues were wounded.

The Israeli forces yesterday prevented thousands of Palestinians from reaching al-Aqsa mosque to perform the second Friday of Ramadan prayers. The worshippers who were able to reach the mosque performed their prayers amid Israeli military reinforcement.