IDF opens investigation into shooting of Palestinian

The army has opened an investigation into the possibly wrongful shooting of a Palestinian after a stabbing attack against IDF soldiers in the northern West Bank on Saturday.

According to an army inquiry into the attack, soldiers at the Bekaot checkpoint in the northern Jordan Valley were attacked by a Palestinian man who stepped out of a vehicle that was waiting at the checkpoint.

The Palestinian attempted to stab one of the soldiers, and was shot dead by the forces at the scene.

Soldiers then shot another Palestinian, apparently the driver of the attacker’s car, critically wounding him. The man later died of his wounds.

According to the Walla news site, the inquiry concluded that the soldiers at the scene were not able to satisfactorily explain why the second Palestinian was shot, leading the IDF Central Command to open an investigation into the incident.

The IDF would not comment publicly on any possible suspicions, citing the ongoing investigation.

“During a routine vehicle check at the Bekaot checkpoint, there was an attempted stabbing attack. The incident is still under investigation, so it is not possible at this time to address it in detail. When the investigation is concluded, the findings will be submitted to the Military Advocate General for examination,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit told Walla.

Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Roni Numa has issued stricter rules of engagement during the latest wave of Palestinian stabbing, car-ramming and shooting attacks that began in late September, in an effort to reduce the danger to bystanders when soldiers open fire during the near-daily attacks in the West Bank.