Gaza Militant Killed in Failed Kidnapping Attempt, Islamic Jihad Claims

The military wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed on Friday that a local militia in the Gaza Strip attempted to abduct one of its operatives near Khan Yunis early in the morning. The alleged kidnapping attempt, which took place around 3:30 AM in the Al-Qarara area north of Khan Yunis, devolved into an exchange of fire. Islamic Jihad stated that its operatives in the area identified the militia force and opened fire at close range, using grenades and weapons. The group further claimed that Israeli drones assisted the militia force, enabling their withdrawal from the scene. During the withdrawal, Islamic Jihad asserted, the militia members shot and killed the operative they had tried to kidnap, leaving his body behind.

The operative who was killed has been identified as Kufadi Ali Said al-Abadleh, a member of the Al-Qarara battalion of Islamic Jihad's military wing in the Khan Yunis sector. Islamic Jihad also alleged that several militia members were killed or wounded during the firefight. Israel has not yet commented on the report.