Terrorist shot after attempting to stab IDF soldier operating in West Bank, no IDF injuries

A terrorist, identified as Fathi Khazem, was shot by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) after attempting to stab an IDF soldier in the West Bank's Jenin area. The incident occurred on Thursday morning when soldiers from the 890th Paratroopers Battalion were conducting an arrest operation. The soldiers entered the terrorist's home, and the terrorist turned on them, trying to stab one of the soldiers.

In response, the IDF soldiers fired at the terrorist, resulting in his death. No injuries were reported among the IDF personnel. Khazem is the father of Raad Khazem, a terrorist who carried out a mass shooting in Tel Aviv in April 2022. The operation involved Duvdevan arrests and raids on over 100 sites near Jenin, with IDF undercover counterterrorism commandos working in coordination with intelligence from the Shin Bet, Israel's Security Agency.

The two terrorists targeted were suspected of planning and promoting terrorist plots against Israeli citizens and the IDF. Following the operation, the IDF faced criticism for allegedly writing numbers on the bodies of Palestinian suspects during the operation. The military clarified that security forces marked suspects for interrogation purposes.

This incident comes a month after the IDF increased its presence in the West Bank to 26 battalions, adding two battalions amid an escalation involving Palestinian terrorist attacks and attacks from settlers. The increase in battalions was a direct response to the deadly shooting near Gilad Farm.