February 23rd, 2006
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Attributed to "security sources" [distributed by the IDF Spokesperson's
Office]

Three wanted Tanzim operatives killed during an IDF arrest activity in
Nablus

Following an increase in the number of alerts for attempts to carry out
terror attacks by the Islamic Jihad and Tanzim infrastructures originating
in Nablus, IDF forces have been operating since Saturday night against
terror infrastructure in Nablus.

Earlier today, February 23 rd 2006, IDF forces surrounded a structure in
which security forces information indicated that three wanted Palestinians
were hiding. The Palestinians hiding in the structure opened fire and threw
hand grenades at the forces, moderately wounding an IDF soldier and lightly
wounding a second soldier. The soldiers were evacuated to a hospital, one of
them by helicopter, to receive further medical treatment. The force retuned
fire at the gunmen and identified hitting three armed gunmen. An M-16
assault rifle and an M-203 assault rifle with a grenade launcher assembled
unto it were uncovered in subsequent searches of the structure.

The three wanted Tanzim operatives who were killed in the activity are:
Muhammed Hamdan Abed El Hadi Shatiwi, Mahmad Hamis Hassin Amar and Fatah
Hasan Hajaj.
Muhammed Hamdan Abed El Hadi Shatiwi, 33, head of the Tanzim infrastructure
in the Balata refugee camp. Shatiwi was responsible for carrying out the
following attacks:

- A shooting attack on January 7th 2005 on Route 60, in which 2 Israeli
soldiers on leave, Second Lieutenant Ariel Buda and Sergeant Yossef Atia
were murdered, and three Israeli civilians were wounded.
- A shooting attack in which IDF company commander, Maj. Shahar Ben Ishai
was killed in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, on May 29th 2004.
- The killing of a number of Palestinians in Nablus who were suspected of
collaboration with Israel.

During the past few months, Shatiwi maintained close connections with the
Hezbollah terror organization in Lebanon, and carried out various
operations, including the purchase of weaponry, explosive device attacks and
shooting attacks against Israeli targets in the Nablus area.

Mahmad Hamis Hassin Amar, 36, and Fatah Hasan Hajaj, 26, both Tanzim
operatives, operated in close contact with Shatiwi and carried out a number
of terrorist attacks under his direction. Under his direct guidance, they
were also involved in the murder of Palestinians whom they suspected were
collaborating with Israel. The two also received financial support from
funds that Shatiwi received for funding terror activity.