Israeli army eliminates terrorist leader, loses two soldiers PHOTO/VIDEO

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed it carried out a drone strike near the Balata camp, saying the target was a top terror leader in the West Bank who was planning an imminent attack.

The IDF identifies him as Abdallah Abu Shalal and says he was killed in a combined operation carried out by the military and the Shin Bet security service, the Times of Israel reports.

The military said Abu Shalal was responsible for a string of recent attacks, including a shooting attack in Jerusalem’s Shimon Hatzadik neighbourhood in which two Israelis were injured, and planting a bomb that wounded a soldier.

After the strike on the terror cell led by Abu Shalal, weapons were found in the car. The other members were not immediately identified.

The army said Abu Shalal had received financing and instructions from Iran and terror groups in Gaza and overseas.

Palestinian sources said three people were killed in the strike on his car.

The IDF also announced the deaths of two reservists who were killed during fighting in Gaza on January 16, bringing the toll of slain troops in the ground offensive against Hamas to 192. They are Master Sgt. (res.) Zechariah Pesach Haber, 32, of the 14th Armored Brigade’s 87th Battalion, from Jerusalem and Sgt. Maj. (res.) Yair Katz, 34, also of the 14th Armored Brigade’s 87th Battalion, from Holon.