The IDF announced Friday the successful outcome of a car strike in Jenin that took out the leader of a terror cell there and two of his assistants.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the IDF on the mission in a terse post on X.

“Initiative and attack. I congratulate our forces on the successful thwarting of the terrorists in Jenin. Shabbat Shalom!” he wrote.

A security source said that the Shin Bet had been tracking the lead terrorist for some time and that he had been involved in planning an imminent terror attack. Once security forces closed in, an airstrike was decided upon as the best way to target him and prevent his escape. The terrorist the Shin Bet had been tracking was identified as the leader, and he was armed during the incident. The other two were identified as his assistants who had been involved in advancing terror plots.

The same day, N12 News released footage showing an increased presence of the IDF in Jenin.