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Israel eliminates senior terrorist in Balata camp

The killing of Amed Abdullah Abu-Shalal and his cell prevented an “imminent, large-scale” attack.

Fatah
Members of the Fatah movement’s Balata Brigade take part in a parade in the Balata refugee camp on the outskirts of Nablus, Dec. 24, 2022. Photo by Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90.

Israel eliminated a top terrorist and members of his cell in a precision airstrike near Nablus (Shechem) in central Samaria overnight Tuesday, thus thwarting an “imminent, large-scale” attack, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Amed Abdullah Abu-Shalal headed terrorist infrastructure in the Balata camp, where he was killed in a joint IDF and Israel Security Agency operation.

The Balata camp is a “significant hub for terrorist activities in Judea and Samaria,” according to the IDF.

Abdullah masterminded many terrorist attacks against Israelis, including a shooting attack in Jerusalem‘s Shimon HaTzadik neighborhood last April that wounded two residents. He was also directly involved in a bombing attack against IDF soldiers last October.

Furthermore, “under Abdullah’s leadership, the Balata camp’s terrorist infrastructure received financial support and guidance from Iranian sources collaborating with terrorist headquarters in both the Gaza Strip and abroad,” according to the IDF and ISA.

An inspection of the vehicle following the airstrike that eliminated the terrorist cell revealed several weapons.

The weapons that were found inside the vehicle that Amed Abdullah Abu-Shalal and members of his cell were traveling in. Credit: IDF.

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