Israeli forces kill two Palestinian gunmen who shot dead a British mother and her two daughters

• A shooting in the West Bank in April killed a mother and her two daughters
• A joint operation in the West Bank today killed those responsible for the attack 

Israeli forces today killed two Palestinian gunmen who killed a British-Israeli mother and her daughters in the West Bank in April, Israel’s domestic security service said.

A third militant who had aided the two gunmen was also killed in the raid, in which multiple assault rifles were recovered, Israel’s Shin Bet service said.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said there had been three fatalities during the raid in the city of Nablus, a city in the West Bank 30 miles from Jerusalem. 

According to the Jerusalem Post, the IDF used an explosive drone as part of the raid.

The gunmen have been named as Hassan Katan, Maad Mitzri and Ibrahim Hura. 

Shin Bet, Israel’s security agency, said all three men were members of the Palestinian Islamist armed group Hamas, which Hamas confirmed.

People inspect the site where three Palestinians were killed, during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on May 4, 2023

Palestinians check a damaged house where Israeli forces killed Palestinian gunmen in a raid, according to the Israeli military, in Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank May 4, 2023

Smoke billows during an Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on May 4

Smoke billows as an Israeli army vehicle drives down a street during raid in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on May 4

Handout photo of (left to right) of Lucy, Rina and Maia Dee. Lucy, 48, died three days after her daughters, Rina, 15, and Maia, 20, were shot and killed on April 7. 

Lebanese outlet LBC International reported that forces entered Nablus in the early morning hours and raided an apartment where the men were located, according to the military.

READ MORE: Father of two British sisters murdered in West Bank drive-by shooting tells of how he came across the carnage after tracing their car with tracking device 

Troops and the suspected were reported to have exchanged fire, resulting in the deaths of three men.

A fourth Palestinian bystander was also reportedly killed in the operation.

In a statement, Shin Bet said the operation was a joint activity of the Shin Bet, the Mageb, the IDF, and the IDF.

It said that ‘significant intelligence and operational effort by the Shin Bet and the IDF began, which led to the location of the hiding apartment in the Kasbah in Nablus.

‘Following targeted intelligence from the Shin Bet, in the early morning the Shin Bet, IDF and IDF fighters raided the apartment and in the exchange of fire the 2 murderers were killed. 

‘In addition, Ebrahim Hora, a senior aide to the wanted men, was killed.

‘Two M16 rifles and a Kalashnikov were found in the apartment of the wanted persons.

‘The security forces will continue to act with determination to thwart any terrorist threat directed against civilians and IDF soldiers.’

A statement from the Palestinian health ministry confirmed that three people had been killed by Israeli troops in Thursday’s raid.

It said: ‘Two of the martyrs have completely distorted features due to the intensity of the shooting, which makes it difficult to identify them.’

Palestinians check a damaged house where Israeli forces killed Palestinian gunmen in a raid, according to the Israeli military, in Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank May 4, 2023

Smoke billows during an Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on May 4

A Palestinian woman reacts after Israeli forces killed Palestinian gunmen in a raid, according to the Israeli military, in Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank May 4, 2023

A medic carries an injured man to safety during clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians following an Israeli army raid in the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on May 4, 2023

British-Israeli Lucy Leah Dee and her two daughters Maia and Rina were shot dead on April 7 in the Jordan Valley.

The two British-Israeli sisters were killed in a shooting on 7 April in the West Bank.

Their mother suffered critical injuries and was rushed into hospital by helicopter after then-unknown attackers opened fire with a Kalashnikov-style weapon.  

She later died from her injuries on 11 April. 

Rabbi Leo Dee had been driving ahead in a separate car when his wife and daughters were attacked. 

The family were from London and had emigrated to Efrat, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.

The settlement is considered illegal under international law, a source of conflict for Palestinian and Israeli factions. Israel disputes the status. 

In response to the shooting, Israel Police commissioner Kobi Shabtai called on all Israelis with firearms licences to start carrying their weapons.

Israeli Major General Yehuda Fuchs said they were reinforcing in all sectors and would find those responsible.

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