Israeli security forces have slain three Palestinian militants whom they accuse of murdering British-Israeli woman Lucy Dee and her two daughters last month in the occupied West Bank.
Hassan Katnani, Maed Masri, and Ibrahim Hura, all members of the militant Palestinian organisation Hamas, were killed during the assault in the city of Nablus. Three assault rifles were discovered by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in the apartment where the militants were sheltering.
The horrifying assault occurred as Lucy Dee, 48, and her daughters Rina, 15, and Maia, 20, were travelling to a Passover event 16 kilometres (10 miles) west of Nablus near the settlement of Hamra. Gunmen opened fire on their vehicle, causing it to collide, and then reopened fire from close range. Rina and Maia regrettably perished at the scene, while Lucy succumbed to her injuries three days later in the hospital.
The spouse of Lucy, Rabbi Leo Dee, was relieved to hear that the Israeli security forces had eliminated those responsible for the murders of his family. He stated that he was “comforted to hear that Israeli security forces have eliminated the Iranian-funded terrorists responsible for the murders of Lucy, Maia, and Rina” and added, “This has been accomplished without endangering the lives of Israeli soldiers or innocent Palestinian civilians.”
On Twitter, Israel’s Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant affirmed, “Just as I promised Leo Dee, Israel’s defence establishment will reach any terrorist who harms our citizens.”
However, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh condemned the operation and held the Israeli government accountable for “these crimes against Palestinian people.”
This operation comes at a time of escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, as Nablus has become a stronghold for the militant group Lion’s Den and frequent incursions by Israeli forces have resulted in civilian and militant casualties over the past year.
Israeli security forces raided an apartment in the ancient city of Nablus on Thursday and executed three Palestinian militants suspected of murdering British-Israeli woman Lucy Dee and her two daughters last month in the occupied West Bank. The spouse of Lucy, Rabbi Leo Dee, was relieved that those responsible for the deaths of his family had been eliminated by Israeli security forces without endangering Israeli soldiers or defenceless Palestinian civilians.
On Twitter, Israel’s Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant affirmed, “Just as I promised Leo Dee, Israel’s defence establishment will reach any terrorist who harms our citizens.” However, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh condemned the Israeli government for these “crimes against the Palestinian people”
This assault is just one in a series of fatal Palestinian attacks against Israelis that have persisted for the past year. Nablus has become a stronghold for the militant organisation Lion’s Den, and frequent operations by Israeli forces have resulted in civilian and militant deaths, exacerbating tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.
