An Arab terrorist was eliminated during a gunfight with Israeli security forces early Monday morning in the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Ramallah.
The terrorist, Basel Al-Arej, was a 31-year old Bethlehem-native operating out of Ramallah who was wanted over his involvement in planning a series of attacks against Israelis. Al-Arej was also suspected of multiple attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces.
When security forces attempted to arrest him during a pre-dawn raid Monday, Al-Arej opened fire.
Israeli forces involved in the operation - including the IDF, Border Police, and Shin Bet internal security service – returned fire, killing Al-Arej. No injuries were reported among security forces involved in the operation.
Palestinian Authority sources claim two other Arab terrorists were also wounded during the gunfight.
Security officials say Al-Arej had organized a terror cell plotting shooting attacks, and was responsible for arming the group.
After Al-Arej was liquidated, a search of his home turned up two automatic weapons: an M-16 assault rifle and a Carlo-style submachine gun.
In other overnight raids across Judea and Samaria, security forces nabbed 12 terrorists, including 4 suspected of attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. Seven of the suspects taken into custody are members of the Hamas terror organization.
