IDF artillery rained fire on north Gaza Monday evening in response to the trajectory ammunition fired at Sderot from the Gaza Strip earlier in the evening. Cannons were firing at the area from which either Kassam rockets or mortar shells had been launched. IAF planes flew overhead, purposely creating sonic booms. Sderot's early warning system indicated five launches toward the city. IDF sweeps discovered the remains of two rockets or mortar shells, and no one was reported wounded in the attack. Early Monday morning, the IDF raided Tulkarm in search of Islamic Jihad terrorist, and killed prominent Jihad member Louie Sa'adi. The Jihad vowed to avenge Sa'adi's death, and this was probably the reason for the artillery fire into Israel, although the Jihad has still not formally claimed responsibility. All border crossings between the Gaza Strip and Israel have been closed following the latest outbreak of violence.
Two Palestinian gunmen were killed in arrest raids in the West Bank town of Tulkarm before dawn Monday, including a top Islamic Jihad official. One Israeli soldier was lightly injured when Palestinian gunmen opened fire on the troops from a passing car, an army spokesman said. In an ensuing exchange of fire, the two Palestinian fugitives were killed. One of the men raised his gun and aimed it toward IDF soldiers; they shot and killed the man.
The Al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades identified the gunman as one of its members, Majed al Askar. Al Aqsa has ties to the ruling Fatah movement of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
The other man killed was Louie Sa'adi, the mastermind behind the suicide bombing at the Stage nightclub, the Netanya suicide bombing outside of the Sharon mall, and an attempted terror attack in Shavei Shomron. He was also involved in a car bomb in Mevo Dotan and three attempts to smuggle suicide bombers into Jerusalem.
Ephraim Brigade Commander Col. Aharon Haliba told Army Radio on Monday morning that Sa'adi's cell had been planning to attack Israel in the near future. "Louie Sa'adi's hands are covered in Israeli blood
I think that this injury to them [Islamic Jihad] on this day, on the eve of the holiday, saved many lives." Sa'adi was released from prison in a deal with the Hizbullah.
The Islamic Jihad has called for revenge. "Our response to this crime will be unprecedented, in accordance with the status of the man," vowed Abu-Abdullah, the group's spokesman in Gaza. Islamic Jihad has been ambivalent about a temporary truce accepted earlier this year by the Hamas. A total of 26 Palestinian fugitives were arrested overnight, the army spokesman said Monday. In the past month, 800 wanted Palestinians have been arrested.