Senior Hamas militant Yussif Saraji and three other Hamas terrorists were killed when special IDF forces swept into Nablus in an anti-terror raid early Tuesday morning. Four IDF soldiers were lightly injured in exchanges of fire as the IDF uncovered a large weapons laboratory in the city. Nine suspected terrorists were reportedly arrested. The action came after IDF forces withdrew from Tulkarm, following a 30-hour occupation of that city, during which 20 terror suspects were arrested.

Palestinian sources said that the Hamas members targeted in the raid constituted the organization's senior-most cell in the West Bank. Saraji has been on Israel's list of most-wanted terrorists for many years and along with two of the others killed, was included on the list of terrorists Israel demanded that the Palestinians arrest while U.S. special envoy Anthony Zinni was mediating between the sides.

Saraji was reportedly instrumental in planning all of the Hamas terror attacks in the Samaria region as well as the organization's strikes against Israeli targets. Two of the other Palestinians killed were identified as Jasser Samro and Nissim Abu Ros, considered by Israel as technical experts who prepared the explosives used in the suicide bombings at the Dolphinarium discotheque, the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem and December's bus attack in Haifa. The IDF Spokesmen said the Hamas militants were planning to carry out additional terror attacks against Israeli targets in the immediate future.

Hamas sources told ynet, "This is a serious blow." The organization vowed to avenge Saraji's death with a cruel and immediate terror strike against Israel. "Hamas and all the Palestinian people will not be committed to cease-fire after this massacre," said Hamas spokesman Teissir Imran.

During the course of the raid, Israeli tanks reportedly took up positions in the city's Al Majeen neighborhood, but Palestinian sources noted that the incursion appeared limited in scope.

The IDF confirmed that its troops had withdrawn from Tulkarm, after completing its operations there. The army raided the Tanzim headquarters in the city on Monday, gathering intelligence information and confiscated rifles, pistols and explosive materials. After withdrawing, IDF forces remained camped outside the city, imposing a tight closure around it.

In a related story, Israeli police forces arrested seven Palestinians overnight in the village of Hizmeh, northeast of Jerusalem. The seven are suspected of involvement in terror activities, Army Radio reported.

© 2001-2002