Jenin, West Bank – In a major blow to Islamic Jihad’s operations in the West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the killing of senior militant figure Nour Bitawi during a taNour Bitawirgeted operation in Jenin on Friday.
A high-ranking source in the IDF’s Central Command revealed the details to Channel 12 News, stating that Bitawi had been one of the military’s most elusive and dangerous targets since 2023.
“We had been pursuing him for nearly two years,” the official explained. “There were multiple attempts to apprehend him. Some operations nearly succeeded, but on Friday, we finally closed in.”
Bitawi, regarded as a central figure in the Islamic Jihad movement’s armed wing in Jenin, was responsible for orchestrating and facilitating numerous terror operations across the region. The official described him as a strategic commander who not only led cells but also coordinated funding, communication, and planning for high-profile attacks.
“He had a rare talent for uniting multiple terror networks, transferring funds, and overseeing logistics for some of the most complex assaults we’ve faced from that area,” the source added.
The operation that led to Bitawi’s death was described as a sophisticated intelligence achievement involving cooperation between multiple military branches. Within hours of receiving actionable intelligence, special forces were deployed, air assets were coordinated, and Bitawi was located and neutralized.
“This is one of our most successful operations in recent memory — from the initial tip-off to identification and execution, everything was done with surgical precision,” the IDF source noted. “For security reasons, some details must remain classified.”
Since launching Operation Iron Wall in northern Samaria, Israeli forces have reportedly neutralized over 105 armed operatives, detained approximately 350 suspects, and seized more than 400 illegal weapons.
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Across the broader Central Command region — which encompasses key parts of the West Bank — Israeli forces have eliminated over 900 militants, confiscated around 2,000 weapons, and conducted more than 100 aerial strikes since the outbreak of hostilities.
The IDF emphasized that operations will continue as long as militant threats persist in the region, with a focus on targeting leadership figures like Bitawi who play pivotal roles in sustaining terrorist infrastructure.
