(Communicated by Israeli security sources)

Ashraf Nafa, the leader of the Hamas in Tulkarem, and Amjed Ramhi Amra, an Islamic Jihad senior terrorist were killed tonight during IDF activity in the refugee camp in Tulkarem.

IDF forces identified three Palestinian gunmen, armed with assault rifles and a pistol. IDF soldiers opened fire, killing two and wounding the third, who was evacuated to an Israeli hospital in serious condition.

The two terrorists who were killed are:

Ashraf Hasan Nafa, the leader of the Hamas in Tulkarem, 21 years old, resident of the Tulkarem refugee camp.

Nafa was connected to Hizbullah officials in Lebanon and responsible for the terror attack which took place in the community of Avnei Hefetz on April 3, 2004, in which an Israeli civilian was murdered and his daughter was lightly injured.

Nafa was also responsible for the recruitment of terrorists and suicide bombers for the Hamas terror organization. He was involved in the preparation of explosive devices and the perpertration of shooting attacks in the area of Tulkarem as well as the planning of suicide attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF forces in Israel and the West Bank.

On January 2004, the Israeli security forces thwarted an infiltration attack directed by Nafa, which was to have taken place in the community of Einav, east of Avnei Hefetz. The security forces arrested Rami Ranem, 22, from Tulkarem, the terrorist who intended to carry out this attack. 

Amjed Ramhi Amra, a senior terrorist in the Islamic Jihad, 21 years old, resident of the Tulkarem refugee camp.

Amra was connected to Hizbullah officials in Lebanon and planned terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF forces in the area of Tulkarem and inside Israel. He was also involved with explosive devices and shooting attacks in the area of Tulkarem.