By DAYO ADESULU
Israeli security forces have announced the elimination of three suspected terrorists in the Jenin area, including Qais Bitawi, described by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) as a senior operative linked to the former Jenin terrorist network.
According to a joint IDF and ISA statement issued Friday, the operation was conducted following what the agencies described as precise intelligence gathered by the ISA.
The Israeli military said Bitawi played a significant role in advancing terrorist activities against Israeli civilians and security forces. His alleged activities included directing, financing and carrying out attacks, while maintaining connections with Hamas operatives in the Gaza Strip and abroad.
Qais Bitawi Targeted in Joint IDF-ISA Operation
The IDF said the operation took place earlier Friday in the Jenin area as part of continuing Israeli efforts to disrupt armed militant networks in the West Bank.
According to the statement, Bitawi was affiliated with the Jenin terrorist network, which Israel says was dismantled during Operation Iron Wall.
The military alleged that Bitawi remained involved in efforts to rebuild and advance terrorist infrastructure despite the network’s dismantling.
Israeli authorities further claimed that his responsibilities extended beyond operational activity, including the direction and financing of attacks.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
Two Other Suspected Terrorists Also Eliminated
The IDF said Bitawi was killed alongside two other alleged accomplices when the Israeli Air Force carried out an airstrike against their vehicle.
Weapons were subsequently discovered inside the vehicle, according to the Israeli military.
The IDF released a photograph showing what it identified as the weapons recovered from the vehicle.
The operation reflects Israel’s continued reliance on intelligence-led airstrikes and ground operations to target suspected militant cells operating in the West Bank.
Family Link to Former Jenin Network Commander
The IDF also highlighted Bitawi’s family connection to Noor Bitawi, whom Israeli security forces identified as a commander of the Jenin terrorist network.
Noor Bitawi was eliminated by Israeli security forces in May 2025, according to the statement.
The Israeli military has repeatedly linked armed groups in and around Jenin to broader militant networks, including Hamas. Jenin and its surrounding refugee camp have remained flashpoints in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Israeli forces conducting repeated raids and military operations in the area.
Israel Vows Continued Counterterrorism Operations
Following Friday’s operation, Israeli security agencies said they would continue working to prevent attacks and disrupt what they describe as terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria, the Israeli designation for the West Bank.
The IDF said its operations are intended to protect Israeli civilians and security personnel and prevent the re-establishment of militant networks.
However, Israeli military accounts of operations in the West Bank often form part of an active and contested conflict environment. Claims concerning individuals, their affiliations and alleged activities can be difficult to independently verify immediately after an operation.
The latest strike comes amid continued Israeli-Palestinian violence and heightened security operations across the West Bank.
Why This Matters
The elimination of Qais Bitawi is significant because Israel says he was involved in directing, financing and executing attacks and had connections to Hamas networks inside Gaza and abroad.
If confirmed, his removal could disrupt militant planning and financing connected to the Jenin area. At the same time, such operations can further intensify tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli military activity and Palestinian armed resistance have repeatedly triggered wider confrontations.
The incident also demonstrates the growing role of intelligence-led targeting and air power in Israel’s campaign against armed groups in the West Bank.
What Happens Next?
Israeli security forces are expected to maintain operations targeting suspected militant infrastructure in Jenin and other parts of the West Bank.
For Palestinian communities, however, continued military operations remain a source of significant concern over civilian safety, displacement and escalating violence.
As investigations and further statements emerge, additional details could clarify the identities of the other two individuals targeted and the circumstances surrounding the airstrike.
FAQs
Who was Qais Bitawi?
According to the IDF and ISA, Qais Bitawi was a Hamas operative linked to the former Jenin terrorist network and was involved in directing, financing and executing attacks.
Where was Qais Bitawi eliminated?
Israeli authorities said he was eliminated in the Jenin area during an Israeli Air Force airstrike.
Were other people killed in the operation?
The IDF said two additional suspected accomplices were also eliminated in the strike.
Did Israeli forces find weapons?
Yes. The IDF said weapons were discovered inside the vehicle targeted in the airstrike.
Who was Noor Bitawi?
The IDF described Noor Bitawi as a commander of the Jenin terrorist network who was eliminated by Israeli security forces in May 2025.
Conclusion
The reported elimination of Qais Bitawi and two other suspected terrorists underscores Israel’s continuing campaign against armed militant networks in Jenin and across the West Bank.
Israel says the operation was based on precise intelligence and aimed at preventing further attacks against civilians and security forces. However, as with other developments in the conflict, independent verification of the military’s claims remains important.
The latest operation is likely to add to tensions in an already volatile region, while Israeli forces signal that intelligence-driven counterterrorism operations will continue.
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