US imposes sanctions on Palestinian Lions' Den terror cell for West Bank attacks

Palestinians from Al-Qassam Brigades take part at a rally in solidarity with the Lions’ Den in Jenin and Nablus in the town of Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, March 10, 2023. (Photo: Atia Mohammed/Flash90)

The United States government imposed sanctions against the Lions’ Den terrorist cell in the West Bank on Thursday, marking the first time such measures have been taken against the group by the U.S.

“The United States condemns any and all acts of violence committed in the West Bank, whoever the perpetrators, and we will use the tools at our disposal to expose and hold accountable those who threaten peace and stability there,” U.S. State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Lions’ Den is a Palestinian terrorist group in Nablus, located about 30 miles from Jerusalem. The group is responsible for some of the worst attacks against Israeli forces and Palestinian civilians in 2022.

In October 2022, Lions’ Den claimed responsibility for several drive-by shootings in the Nablus area. Group members opened fire at Israeli vehicles, injuring a taxi driver and damaging multiple vehicles. In a separate attack, numerous shots were fired toward the West Bank settlement of Har Bracha, according to the U.S. State Department.

In September 2022, Lions’ Den members injured and killed Palestinian civilians in Nablus during clashes between Palestinian fighters and PLO Security Forces, according to the State Department.

Israeli forces evacuated Nablus in 1993, shortly after the Oslo Accords, and the city came under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The announcement also references Palestinian media reports from April 2024, which claim that Lions’ Den fighters targeted Israeli forces with small arms at an Israeli checkpoint in Nablus. However, these reports have not been confirmed, and the group has not claimed responsibility for the attack. It is believed that Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists could be responsible for the assault.

Last year, the Lions’ Den group leader, Udai Al-Azizi, turned himself into the PA due to fears of retaliation. Since its founding in August 2022, the organization’s leadership has changed several times.

Lions’ Den has also been accused of executing Palestinians for allegedly collaborating with Israel.