Islamic Jihad Leader Killed

During arrest raids in Tulkarim, Israeli troops killed Luai al-Saadi (Louie Sa'adi), leader of Islamic Jihad al-Quds Brigades in the West Bank. Saadi masterminded the suicide bombing at the Stage nightclub, the Netanya suicide bombing outside Sharon mall, and an attempted attack in Shavei Shomron.

Islamic Jihad has called for revenge of an unprecedented scale. Spokesman Abu-Abdullah promised, "Our response to this crime will be unprecedented, in accordance with the status of the man."

The Israelis also killed Majed al Askar (Majid al-Ashqar), a gunman with the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades which is linked to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party.

The deaths occurred during Israeli sweeps of the West Bank in which 800 wanted Palestinians have been arrested.