“Drones have become a critical asset in Israel’s ongoing operations against Hamas, providing real-time intelligence and precision targeting to minimize collateral damage while neutralizing threats.” – Amos Harel, Haaretz
- “The employment of drones in Israel’s operations against Hamas reflects a broader trend in modern warfare where technology is used to reduce the exposure of military personnel while maintaining operational effectiveness.” – Michael Herzog, Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Hamas are being hunted throughout the reason.
Two senior members of Hamas were killed in an Israeli drone strike in the West Bank city of Jenin on Saturday evening, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency.
Two Hamas fighters have been killed in an Israeli airstrike against their vehicle in front of the Palestinian Authority compound in Jenin. pic.twitter.com/y4Sa2HeMfB
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) August 17, 2024
The strike targeted two Hamas operatives, Ahmed Abu Ara and Raafat Dawasi, who were identified as key figures in recent attacks, including a deadly shooting in the Jordan Valley that claimed the life of 23-year-old Yonatan Deutsch and left another civilian injured. The drone strike hit their vehicle as they were driving in Jenin, marking a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing operations in the West Bank.
Abu Ara, from Aqqaba, was known for his involvement in several terror attacks and had a role in the manufacturing of explosives for Hamas. Dawasi, hailing from Silat al-Harithiya, was a senior figure in a Hamas network operating in Jenin. According to Hamas, Dawasi was a commander within the group’s Jenin wing, while Abu Ara held a senior operative position.
Hamas confirmed the identities of the two men and acknowledged their roles in planning and executing a series of attacks. These included not only the Jordan Valley shooting but also a deadly roadside bombing in Jenin on June 27 and another bombing targeting Defense Ministry workers on July 23.
In a rare disclosure, the IDF and Shin Bet also named a detained Palestinian terror suspect, Yassin Ghanem, who reportedly provided intelligence linking Abu Ara and Dawasi to the Jordan Valley shooting. This information played a crucial role in the decision to carry out the drone strike.
Israel says two senior Hamas members killed
They were killed in the area of the city of Jenin on the West Bank, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit reported .https://t.co/2unMwrfDWS
According to them, one of the militants, Ahmed Abu Ara, had repeatedly participated in attacks. He… pic.twitter.com/F8UFaDpA1u
— Lew Anno Suport#Israel #Ukraine 24/2-22 (@anno1540) August 18, 2024
Footage of the drone strike was released, showing the targeted vehicle being destroyed in a fiery explosion. The videos, widely shared online, captured the moment from various angles, including a dashboard camera from a nearby car and another perspective showing the aftermath with the vehicle engulfed in flames in the middle of the street.
Since October 7, the IDF has intensified its operations in the West Bank, conducting over 60 airstrikes using drones, attack helicopters, and fighter jets. During this period, Israeli forces have arrested approximately 4,850 Palestinians, with more than 1,960 of them linked to Hamas.
The Palestinian Authority health ministry reports that over 630 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank during this time. The IDF maintains that most of those killed were either armed militants involved in firefights, rioters who clashed with troops, or terrorists carrying out attacks.
The elimination last night in #Jenin
The military wing of #Hamas confirms that two of its senior officers were killed last night in the drone attack in Jenin:
Rafet Dawasi
Ahmed Abu Ara
According to an official announcement published by the branch, (1/4) pic.twitter.com/TAJ13DHzd3— Abu Ali Express English (@AbuAliEnglishB1) August 18, 2024
In the same timeframe, 26 individuals, including Israeli security personnel, have been killed in terror attacks within Israel and the West Bank. Additionally, five members of Israeli security forces have lost their lives in clashes with terror operatives in the West Bank.
Quotes
- “The use of drones by Israel in its fight against Hamas has allowed for a level of surveillance and precision strikes that were unimaginable just a few decades ago.” – Yaakov Amidror, Former Israeli National Security Advisor
- “Drones have given the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) the ability to carry out targeted assassinations and gather intelligence with minimal risk to Israeli soldiers, changing the landscape of modern warfare.” – Ronen Bergman, Journalist and Author
Major Points:
- Two senior Hamas operatives, Ahmed Abu Ara and Raafat Dawasi, were killed in an Israeli drone strike in Jenin.
- The operatives were linked to a recent deadly shooting in the Jordan Valley and other attacks, including bombings in Jenin.
- Hamas confirmed their identities, stating that Dawasi was a commander and Abu Ara was a senior operative involved in multiple attacks.
- A detained Palestinian terror suspect, Yassin Ghanem, provided intelligence that linked the operatives to the Jordan Valley shooting.
- Since October 7, the IDF has intensified operations in the West Bank, conducting over 60 airstrikes and arresting thousands of Palestinians, with over 630 Palestinians reported killed during this period.
Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
