Israel Eliminates PIJ Leader Amid Regional Tensions

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the successful elimination of Muhammad Abdullah, the head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Nur Shams refugee camp, located in the central West Bank. Abdullah, who took over after the previous commander, Muhammad Jabber, was killed in August, was targeted in an airstrike alongside another PIJ operative, identified as Awad Omar. The IDF claims Abdullah was involved in orchestrating numerous attacks and deploying explosives against Israeli forces. Following the operation, Israeli troops seized weapons and equipment from the site. This incident is part of a broader escalation of violence in the region, which has seen increased Israeli military operations and a high number of casualties since Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023. Iran, a key supporter of PIJ, has expressed readiness to defend its interests in light of the ongoing hostilities.