Senior Islamic Jihad Leader Captured in Jenin, IDF on High Alert for Reprisals

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were on high alert and closed roads around the Gaza Strip on Tuesday following the arrest of a senior Islamic Jihad leader overnight, as was reported by CBN News. They also closed a popular beach in southern Israel and halted train and bus services to the area.

Breaking News: Senior Islamic Jihad Leader Captured in Jenin; IDF on High Alert @Israel #IslamicJihad #jenin @IDF #arabterrorism pic.twitter.com/vqg1yTJtIZ

— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) August 2, 2022

The IDF, Israel Security Agency (ISA), and Border Police forces said they carried out numerous “counterterrorism activities in a number of locations in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).”

In a joint statement, the IDF and Border Police announced they had arrested two wanted terror suspects in the Jenin Camp.

Gun Battle Ensues in Jenin as IDF Captures Senior Islamic Jihad Leader @IDF @Israel #IslamicJihad #BaasamAsadi #arabterrorism pic.twitter.com/KsT6AeFBSs

— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) August 2, 2022

CBN reported that Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) commander Bassam al-Saadi and his son-in-law/advisor Ashraf Zidan Molmad Aljada were arrested and transferred to security forces for further questioning.

“A number of gunmen shot at the security forces as they entered the city of Jenin, who responded with live fire. Hits were identified,” the statement said. “During the activity, the forces confiscated a handgun, magazines, M-16 bullets, and cash.”

Gun Battle Ensues in Jenin as IDF Captures Senior Islamic Jihad Leader @IDF @Israel #IslamicJihad #BaasamAsadi #arabterrorism pic.twitter.com/KsT6AeFBSs

— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) August 2, 2022

Israel National News reported that when the security forces entered Jenin, live fire was opened towards by a number of terrorists. The forces responded with live fire. Several hits on armed terrorists were detected. Palestinian Arabs said one the terrorists was killed. No Israeli casualties were reported.

The Border Police officers continued the operational activity and arrested two suspects who were transferred to the Shin Bet for questioning.

During the operation, a gun, cartridges, M-16 bullets and cash were seized by the forces, as was reported by INN.

The Palestinian Authority Health Ministry said 17-year-old Dirar al-Kafrayni was killed in the exchanges of fire, as was reported by CBN.

Israel has detained Al-Saadi seven times in the past for his role in terrorism as PIJ’s top leader, and he’s served 15 years altogether in Israeli prisons, according to the CBN report.  Two of his sons, who were also part of PIJ, were killed during the Second Intifada, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The JPost quoted the Shin Bet security service (ISA) as saying that Saadi was working hard recently “to restore the Islamic Jihad’s operations, in which he was instrumental in establishing a strong military force in Samaria in general and in Jenin in particular. His presence was a significant factor in radicalizing the organization’s operatives.”

In response to the arrest of Saadi, Islamic Jihad in Gaza issued a statement saying it declared a state of “alertness” and raised its fighters’ “readiness”, the Times of Israel reported.

CBN reported that early on Tuesday morning, the IDF issued a statement saying, “following a situational assessment after terrorist activities were identified with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organization, it was decided to block off areas and routes adjacent to the Gaza Strip security fence.”

The IDF said that the area had been “closed to civilians due to a direct threat and in order to prevent a possible attack on civilians.”

Al Jazeera reported that in a statement released on Monday night, the PIJ’s armed wing Al-Quds Brigades, announced “a state of alertness and readiness among its fighters and active combat units” which it said comes “in response to its duty towards the treacherous aggression that the great leader, the sheikh Bassam al-Saadi and his family were exposed to in Jenin”.

Head of the commission Qadri Abu Bakr said they “hold the occupation’s government fully responsible for the life of the captive al-Saadi and for the execution of the martyr Dirar al-Kafrini”, adding that the “occupation does not stop targeting Jenin camp and its residents, “ as was reported by Al Jazeera.

Israel National News reported that Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid will hold a situational assessment of the security situation following the arrest of a senior leader of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization last night.

Israel closed off areas and routes adjacent to the Gaza Strip security fence Tuesday morning in response to fears Islamic Jihad would retaliate for the arrest of Saadi.

Several routes were reopened Tuesday afternoon, but security forces remain on high alert.

INN also reported that new footage has been released, showing the Monday night arrest of a senior Islamic Jihad terror leader.

The footage, taken from the security cameras of a business located near the home of Islamic Jihad’s Sheikh Basa’am Asadi, shows how the soldiers pull Asadi while engaging in a shootout with terrorists, as was reported by INN. At some point, Asadi falls, and the soldiers drag him and even carry him at one point, apparently due to the shooting in the area.

Arab reports claim Asadi was seriously wounded in the arrest, but he can be seen walking out of his home on his own two feet.

IDF, ISA & Israel Border Police forces conducted counterterrorism activity in Jenin to apprehend 2 terrorist suspects overnight.

During the activity, Palestinians shot at and—as seen here—hurled rocks at the forces.

We will continue to operate against the threat of terrorism. pic.twitter.com/HDV9bQ7QwB

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 2, 2022

 According to Ynet, Ashraf Jeda, Sa’adi’s son-in-law, was also detained on suspicion of terrorist activity.

“We announced our intention to raise readiness among our fighters and combat units, in response to the aggression against the senior commander Sheikh Bassam al-Sa’adi and his family a short while ago in Jenin,” PIJ said in a statement. “We warn Israel against harming al-Sa’adi’s life, and we are ready to respond to the aggression with force if Israel does not stop.”

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid was slated, on Tuesday, to hold a security assessment with, among others, Alternate Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi.