Israeli soldiers capture top terror leader Mahmoud al-Bana in Nablus
- Mahmoud al-Bana, formerly head of the Lions' Den terror group, was arrested by Israeli troops in Nablus.
- During his capture, al-Bana attempted to flee and was shot in the leg by Israeli forces.
- The arrest indicates ongoing tensions and shifting power dynamics within the Palestinian resistance movement.
In Nablus, Samaria, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) arrested Mahmoud al-Bana, a prominent member of the Lions' Den terror group, which operates independently from both Hamas and Islamic Jihad. This arrest occurred after al-Bana attempted to escape during capture. To facilitate his detention, Israeli soldiers disguised as Palestinians used a Palestinian Authority (PA) vehicle to deceive al-Bana. The Lions' Den, which emerged in 2022, is known for its national branches throughout the West Bank and has been characterized as a rebellion against both the Palestinian Authority and Israeli security forces. Al-Bana’s previous surrender to the PA in the same year resulted in his release, highlighting the challenges faced by Palestinian leadership and security. The group has received considerable support from Hamas, with many of its members being young men disillusioned by both Fatah and the overall Palestinian leadership, motivated by a desire to resist perceived oppression. Observers contend that this new wave of militancy among the youth in Nablus indicates a significant shift in Palestinian resistance dynamics. The ongoing backing from Hamas points to a complex relationship between these groups in their methods of resistance, exposing the fragmentation within the Palestinian political landscape.