Islamic Jihad Commander Responsible For Israeli Deaths Killed In Gunbattle With IDF Forces

An Islamic Jihad commander wanted by Israel for years for his role in suicide bomb attacks in Israel was killed by Israeli security forces in the village of Kabbatiyah south of Jenin early Wednesday. In a pre dawn raid special IDF forces surrounded the house of Walid Obeidi and ordered him to turn himself in. When he eventually left his house he opened fire on the troops outside and was killed. Two of Obeidi's bodyguards who were also wounded in the ensuing gunbattle were taken to hospital in Israel for treatment. Two other operatives were arrested and handed over to the Shin Bet for questioning.01/16/08