WATCH: IDF kills Hamas-linked former senior Jenin terror cell member in West Bank vehicle strike

The IDF killed a former senior Jenin terror cell member and two additional terrorists in an IAF airstrike on their vehicle in the West Bank on Friday, the military confirmed in a joint statement with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).The senior terrorist, Qais Bitwani, was a Hamas operative in the now-dismantled Jenin terrorist network, according to the joint statement.Qais Bitwani was a relative of the former Jenin terrorist network commander, Noor Bitawi, who was killed by the IDF in May 2025, the military and security agency said.The statement noted that Qais Bitwani was involved in "significant" terror activities, including "directing, funding, and executing" terrorist attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.Bitwani had maintained his connections to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as international operatives, the statement added.According to the IDF and Shin Bet, the other two terrorists in Bitwani's vehicle were his accomplices, and the vehicle also contained weapons.Strike followed extensive intelligence effortThe Jerusalem Post has learned that the strike against Bitwani, who was formerly Hamas's top operative in the Jenin terrorist network, was conducted following an extensive intelligence effort led by the Shin Bet and the Military Intelligence Directorate.The effort included arresting and interrogating dozens of Bitwani's accomplices who were suspected of being in contact with him, leading to his eventual discovery and targeting.The Post further learned that Bitwani was directly involved in the July 2024 Gilboa Seam bombing, in which two Defense Ministry employees were injured, as well as additional attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. Several prior efforts were made to arrest Bitwani prior to the strike amid his continued terrorist activities.Netanyahu, Israel Katz congratulate IDF for Jenin strikePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the IDF for the "successful thwarting of the terrorists in Jenin" in an X/Twitter Post earlier on Friday.יוזמה והתקפה. אני מברך את כוחותינו על הסיכול המוצלח של המחבלים בג׳נין. שבת שלום!— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) August 28, 2026Defense Minister Israel Katz also congratulated the IDF in an X post later on Friday, as well as the Israel Police and security forces, describing the strike as among the "fruits of the offensive and proactive policy we are leading in Judea and Samaria.""We do not wait for terrorism," said Katz. "We pursue it, conquer its strongholds, and thwart its people."אני מברך את צה״ל, שירות הביטחון הכללי ומשטרת ישראל על הפעילות המוצלחת לחיסול מפקד חמאס במחנה ג׳נין ביחד עם מחבלים נוספים בתקיפה אווירית מדויקת.המחנה עליו פיקד פונה מתושבים ונכבש על ידי צה״ל, וטוהר ממחבלים ותשתיות טרור וצה״ל שוהה בו באופן קבוע, כמו מחנות טרור נוספים ביו״ש, והוא…— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) August 28, 2026He noted that the policy has led to an 80% decrease in West Bank terrorist activity, emphasizing that Israel "will continue to act forcefully and proactively to thwart any threat to its citizens, wherever it may be found."Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.