Hamas on Friday threatened retaliation over the killing of Iyad abu Shilbayeh, formerly a senior operative in the organization, who was killed during an IDF raid east of the West Bank city of Tulkarem overnight.

Hamas accused Israel and the Palestinian Authority of conspiring to kill Shilbayeh, who they claimed was imprisoned and tortured by the PA several times.

Hamas military spokesman in Gaza Abu Obeida confirmed Shilbayeh was a member of the group’s armed wing: “The blood of our martyr will be a curse that will follow the occupation and the traitors,” he said, referring to Hamas’ rivals in the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which has ruled only the West Bank since losing control of the Gaza Strip, to Hamas militants in 2007.

(Source: Ynet)