Israeli soldiers shot and killed, on Sunday afternoon, a top Islamic Jihad leader in Jenin area, north of the West Bank.

Nihad Abu Ghanim, 27, one of the leaders of Al Quds brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad, died after being shot in his head, chest and abdomen, an Israeli military source reported.

Abu Ghanim was driving his car near a junction close to Jenin when soldiers intercepted his way and demanded him to stop.

 A gun battle broke out between him and the soldiers, who spotted him during a routine patrol in the area, according to Israeli military sources. Al Quds brigades, vowed “fast and hard” retaliation.