Father of Dizengoff street terrorist killed during IDF operation in Jenin
The terrorist, identified as Fathi Hazem, was killed after attempting to stab an IDF soldier during an operation in Jenin. He was the father of the terrorist behind the 2022 Dizengoff shooting
An armed Palestinian man was killed after attempting to stab an IDF soldier during an overnight military operation in the Jenin area, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
The incident occurred Friday night as IDF forces were conducting an offensive operation in the area. According to the military, the attacker approached a soldier with a knife and attempted to carry out a stabbing attack. The soldiers responded by opening fire, killing the assailant. No Israeli forces were injured.
Palestinian sources identified the man as Fathi Hazem, a former senior member of the Palestinian Authority’s security forces and the father of Raad Hazem, who carried out a deadly shooting attack at the Ilka Bar on Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Street in April 2022.
Raad Hazem killed three people and wounded several others in the attack before being killed by Israeli security forces. Following his death, his father became a prominent figure among armed groups operating in refugee camps across northern West Bank and was regarded by some militants as a symbol of resistance.
According to reports, Israeli security officials had previously discussed the possibility of targeting Fathi Hazem. The issue reportedly reached senior levels of Israel’s security establishment, but officials ultimately decided against carrying out an operation, citing concerns that his elimination could trigger a significant escalation in the area.
The latest incident comes amid continued Israeli military activity in and around Jenin, where armed groups have maintained a presence.
The incident also follows a separate confrontation in the Jenin area roughly two weeks ago, when two Israeli civilians—a mother and her son—accidentally entered the city after their navigation system directed them there.
The pair, residents of the West Bank, were traveling to Afula to meet friends when they encountered heavy traffic. They later realized that their navigation app had routed them into Jenin.
As traffic cleared, dozens of Palestinians reportedly surrounded their vehicle, threw stones and attempted to open the car doors, according to the civilians’ account.
The mother contacted the security center of the Shomron Regional Council, whose dispatchers guided her out of the area while remaining on the phone with her. She eventually accelerated away from the scene and escaped with her son.
Neither was injured, although their vehicle sustained extensive damage.
The woman, who works with people dealing with mental health challenges, later described the incident, saying she realized they had taken a wrong turn only after entering Jenin. She said the crowd surrounded the vehicle, attempted to open the doors and threw stones as she tried to drive away.
The two civilians were eventually reunited with Israeli security forces and returned safely.