“I am not surrendering. My brother and I are under siege. God will not forgive those who sold us out,” one of the terrorists said in a voice recording.
By World Israel News Staff
At least six Palestinians were killed and 45 were wounded during an intense gun battle between IDF soldiers and two men wanted on terror charges in the Old City of Nablus (Shechem) on Wednesday morning.
According to Hebrew-language media reports, the clashes occurred during an arrest operation targeting two Lions’ Den operatives, Hussam Aslim and Muhammad Janaydi Abu-Bakar. Both men were part of a squad that launched a deadly shooting attack on IDF troops in October 2022, which killed Sgt. Ido Baruch.
Troops from the Golani Brigade, the elite counter-terror Yamam unit, and the Border Police surrounded a home where Abu-Bakar and Aslim had barricaded themselves inside.
שכם: חילופי אש בין כוחותינו למחבלים רימוני עשן, דיווח על ירי טיל לבית… pic.twitter.com/CcOjb5GxOF
— חדשות הימין בטוויטר (@HdswtHymyn) February 22, 2023
After calling on the two wanted terrorists to surrender, troops fired smoke grenades and shoulder-propelled missiles at the home, in an attempt to force the men to leave the building.
Instead, the men began firing at troops, sparking an intense gun battle that lasted for several minutes. Videos circulating on social media from the clashes show smoke rising from the building where Aslim and Abu-Bakar were hiding, and rapid gunfire could be heard.
“I am not surrendering. My brother [Abu-Bakar] and I are under siege. God will not forgive those who sold us out,” Aslim said in a voice recording that he posted to his Facebook page, translated by Ynet.
“There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger,” he added.
יממ סיירת גולני ומגב כעת בקסבה של שכם בסגירה על מבוקש pic.twitter.com/AcGiqunKoP
— Or Heller אור הלר (@OrHeller) February 22, 2023
“We remained men and did not run away, and we will not give ourselves up. We are on the path to martyrdom,” Abu-Bakar said in his own Facebook post.
A spokesman from the Islamic Jihad terror group confirmed that Aslim and Abu-Bakar were killed during the gun battle, calling them a “living example of sacrifice and courage” and emphasizing that they set an example “that every Palestinian should follow.”
בשכם לפחות 3 הרוגים. ייתכן ארבעה או חמישה. כוחות היממ וגולני בדרך החוצה ללא נפגעים. פעולה עם הרבה אש. pic.twitter.com/xyRoQ9nU5C
— Or Heller אור הלר (@OrHeller) February 22, 2023
The Lions’ Den terror group sent messages via social media platforms calling on locals to attack IDF soldiers, Ynet reported.
“Go out into the streets and burn the ground under the feet of the occupation,” the message urged. “Shame on everyone who carries a gun and will not take it to the field of honor and manhood!”
Dozens appeared to heed the message, with locals shooting at troops and hurling rocks and explosive devices.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said that three additional people were killed, including Muhammad Anbusi, 25, Adnan Saba Bera, 72, and 14-year-old boy, Tamer Ahmad Minawi. The Ministry also said that Mutzair Ayyush was killed, though it did not disclose his age.
At least 45 people were said to be wounded, with five of them in critical condition from gunshot wounds.
The IDF has not released a statement regarding Israeli casualties during the raid.
The post ‘We’re on the path to martyrdom’ – 6 killed, 45 wounded in Shechem anti-terror raid appeared first on World Israel News.