Israeli soldiers kill gunman who shot dead two brothers, says Netanyahu

A gunman who killed two Israeli brothers “in cold blood” has been “eliminated”, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

His forces raided the Palestinian town of Jenin and killed at least six people during clashes with suspected terrorists.

It’s understood they were acting on intelligence that located the gunman wanted for the deadly shooting of the brothers in the West Bank town of Huwara 10 days ago.

Mr Netanyahu said: “IDF soldiers, ISA agents and Israel National Counter-Terrorism Unit officers have eliminated the abhorrent terrorist who murdered the two wonderful brothers, Hallel and Yigal Yaniv, in cold blood.

“Our brave soldiers acted with surgical precision in the heart of the murderers’ lair. I commend them and send my best wishes for a swift recovery to our wounded.

“As I have said repeatedly: Whoever harms us will pay the price.”

Video circulating online shows a fierce gun battle as the Israeli soldiers focused on an apartment block in the town.

A small Israeli drone was also shot down by Palestinians during the operation.

Separately, three wanted Palestinians were arrested in the city of Nablus. It’s been reported that they are the sons of the wanted terrorist.

Riots, threats and tension since killings

The killing of the Yaniv brothers, aged 21 and 19, led to violent riots when hundreds of settlers carried out revenge attacks on the town.

Cars and houses were set on fire and one Palestinian was killed.

The rioting was described as “a pogrom” by a senior Israeli commander, Major General Yossi Fuchs.

But despite worldwide condemnation, the Israeli far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said a few days later that Huwara should be “wiped out”. He later offered a partial retraction.

Settlers carried out more attacks on Huwara on Monday night, throwing rocks at shops and cars, including one that had a young family inside.

A video posted on social media shows Israeli soldiers dancing with settlers in the town.

Today, some of the shops have started to reopen after the forced closure following the riots.

Although the town is now busy again, there is considerable fear that more attacks will follow.

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The Palestinian town is surrounded by a number of Israeli settlements and has become a flashpoint for violence.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken again raised concerns about the escalating violence, and it is expected to be a main talking point when US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrives in Israel for a visit later this week.

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