Israel Captures Hamas Military Leader

Using an army bulldozer to break down the walls of his hideout, the Israelis captured Ibrahim Hamed, the most-wanted Hamas terrorist leader on the West Bank.

From Haaretz.com:

After an eight-year manhunt, Israeli security forces early Tuesday seized the Ramallah-area commander of Hamas' military wing, Israel's most wanted man in the West Bank.

Sheikh Ibrahim Hamed, 41, has been wanted since 1998 for terror attacks that claimed the lives of 78 of Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Hamed was arrested at a hideout in the al-Balua neighborhood of Ramallah, surrendering to a combined force of Israel Defense Forces Dukefat troops, the Shin Bet security service, and the police anti-terror unit.

Apparently, Hamed decided to surrender, alone and unarmed, when the walls started collapsing. An Israeli military spokesman stated that the capture will significantly impede Hamas' capabilities since Hamed will be hard to replace. He was known to be a creative bomber who allegedly masterminded attacks resulting in the deaths of scores of people.

From the BBC, check out this astonishing statement.

BBC correspondent Caroline Hawley in Jerusalem says it is not clear why the army moved against Hamad.

Excuse me! I'd suggest that the BBC hire a new correspondent to report from Jerusalem.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.