Israeli Strike in Jenin Kills Hamas Operative and Two Others

The Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet killed Qais Bitwani, a senior Hamas operative, and two accomplices in an airstrike in Jenin on Friday, August 28, 2026. Israeli officials identified Bitwani as a key figure who funded and directed attacks against civilians and soldiers, including the July 2024 Gilboa Seam bombing. While Israeli media initially reported the strike targeted a vehicle, other reports indicate the drone hit a partially built home in Harsh al-Saada.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the deceased as Qais Bitwani, Basel Turkman, and Moamen Jaradat. Both Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed Bitwani as a member. Following the operation, the Palestine Red Crescent reported that Israeli ground troops briefly detained ambulance crews and prevented them from transporting the dead or wounded. The Palestinian Health Ministry further noted that Israeli forces withheld the bodies of the victims.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz congratulated the security forces for the operation. Katz stated that a proactive policy in Judea and Samaria has led to an 80% decrease in terrorist activity in the West Bank. This operation marks the first aerial strike in Jenin in nearly 10 months and occurs amid heightened military activity ahead of Israel's October 27 Knesset election.