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IDF kills Palestinians who murdered Israeli motorist

Israel Defense Forces troops killed three Palestinian men who were involved in the shooting death of an Israeli motorist in the West Bank.
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December 27, 2009

Israel Defense Forces troops killed three Palestinian men who were involved in the shooting death of an Israeli motorist in the West Bank.

Israeli soldiers entered Nablus Friday night in an attempt to arrest the men responsible for Thursday night’s murder of Meir Avshalom Hai, a 45-year-old father of seven near the northern West Bank settlement of Shavei Shomron, where he lived.

The men were reportedly each killed in their homes while resisting arrest.

The IDF spokesman said Sunday that a ballistics test on a weapon found in the home of one of the terrorists matched the bullet that killed Hai.

“I would like to commend the Israel Security Association (Shin Bet) and the IDF for the quick operation against the cell that murdered Rabbi Meir Avshalom Hai.  Our policy against terrorism is clear.  We will continue to respond aggressively – against any attack on Israeli citizens and against any firing of rockets or missiles at Israeli territory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of Sunday’s Cabinet meeting.

Netanyahu said one of the killed terrorists had been released from Israeli prison and said:  “This is precisely the consideration standing against the Shalit deal.”

“The issue of our citizens’ security, particularly in the West Bank, is a cardinal consideration in the negotiations for Shalit’s release. We want our prisoners returned, but at the same time we must minimize the risk to our citizens,” said Netanyahu.

On Friday, two Palestinian terrorist groups, Islamic Jihad and Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party, claimed responsibility for killing Hai.

Hai’s car was found in a ditch at the side of the road between Shavei Shomron and Einav on Thursday evening. The motorist died from head wounds at the scene, Magen David Adom said.
Israeli troops were set up roadblocks and searched the area to locate the gunman. The attack occurred in an area where roadblocks had been lifted and travel restrictions eased as an Israeli gesture of goodwill to Palestinians.

On Thursday, the IDF announced that security forces foiled a terror attack last week on the Jerusalem-Modiin Road, or Route 443. A homemade explosive device was found on the road between the Palestinian West Bank town of Dir Nabala and the Jewish community Givat Ze’ev.

A sketch of how the explosive was supposed to work was found with the bomb, with a note on it written in Arabic and pictures of cars with Stars of David drawn on them.

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