Itongadol.- Security forces arrested the head of the armed Palestinian Tanzim organization in Kalandia overnight between Sunday and Monday.
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) said its agents, together with IDF Binyamin Brigade units, arrested Jamal Abu Lil, 48, who is a resident of the village of Akav. Lil, who holds Israeli residency, commands Tanzim in Kalandia, "and before his arrest, he orchestrated shooting attacks, as well as transferring terrorist finances for funding military activity," the Shin Bet said.
Security sources had in the past assessed that an involvement by Tanzim gunmen in the violence would indicate an escalation of the situation.
In recent months, IDF units carrying out security missions in Kalandia have repeatedly come under fire.
In December, two terrorists who tried to ram their vehicles into security forces were killed during an IDF raid into Kalandia refugee camp, and Palestinian gunmen fired on IDF soldiers.
In the previous month, a Givati infantry brigade unit entered Kalandia and encountered gunfire, pipe bombs, and firebombing attacks.