Israeli security forces came under fire early on Monday while on a counterterrorism mission near Ramallah. The terrorist was killed and two other Palestinians were wounded in the gunfight. No injuries were reported among the Israeli troops. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit named the terrorist as Basel al-Araj, 31, originally from Bethlehem, who headed a terrorist cell that carried out several attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. According to available details, IDF and Israel Police counterterrorism forces were on a mission to apprehend al-Araj. When they surrounded the house he was inside, he opened fire at them. The soldiers returned fire, killing their assailant. Two other Palestinians were injured in the gunfight and were taken to a local hospital by the Red Crescent, the IDF said. A riot broke out after the incident and Palestinian protesters clashed with the Israeli troops, who used crowd control measures to restore order. A search of al-Araj's home revealed several M-16 rifles, as well as a Carlo submachine gun. According to Channel 2 News, IDF forces operating elsewhere in Judea and Samaria overnight arrested 12 Palestinians suspected of terrorist activity and seized substantial funds meant to sponsor terrorism. Four of the suspects are senior Hamas members, the report said.
