March 12th, 2008

IDF SPOKESPERSON'S ANNOUNCEMENT

Senior Islamic Jihad Terror Operative Killed During Arrest Operation

Saleh Amar Saleh Karkoor, 26, a senior terror operative was killed in Seida,
south west of Jenin, in a joint IDF, ISA and Border Police arrest operation.
Initially, the forces called on Karkoor to evacuate the house, following
which they resorted to using various means in order to get him to surrender.
During the operation fire was opened towards the forces and explosive
devices were activated against them. The forces returned fire and identified
hitting Karkoor. One AK-47 Assault Rifle and a number of explosive devices
and ammunition clips were uncovered on his person. The weaponry was
detonated in a controlled manner by sappers.

Karkoor was extremely active in the Islamic Jihad terror organization from
the 1990s. During the last weeks he was involved in planning suicide
bombings along with other Islamic Jihad operatives.

In 1998, Karkoor was questioned and arrested for the first time for his
involvement in the Islamic Jihad terror organization. In 1999 he returned to
terror activities right after his release.

In January 25, 2002, Karkoor was arrested following a suicide bombing in
Tel- Aviv in which 23 civilians were injured. He confessed to having
accommodated the two bombers at his house, and to his involvement in terror
activity and the recruiting of suicide bombers.

Karkoor was sentenced and jailed, from which he was released in November
2006.

Right after his release, Karkoor once again returned to terror activity
within the Islamic Jihad. He took part in the establishment of an Islamic
Jihad cell, together with Haled Hassin, who was killed by a special IDF
force on October 23, 2007, along with a number of Islamic Jihad terror
operatives from Tul-Karem who operated in Jenin in 2007.

The cell that Karkoor was a part of was also responsible for executing the
suicide bombing at an IDF roadblock near the community of Einav on July 12,
2007.