IDF soldier injured in West Bank stabbing attack

Incident occurs near security fence as a group of Palestinians attempt to enter Israel illegally; perpetrator arrested

  • An Israeli soldier pins down a Palestinian man who stabbed another soldier near the West Bank security fence, April 2, 2015 (photo credit: IDF spokesperson)
    An Israeli soldier pins down a Palestinian man who stabbed another soldier near the West Bank security fence, April 2, 2015 (photo credit: IDF spokesperson)
  • A knife used by a Palestinian man who stabbed an IDF soldier near the West Bank security fence, April 2, 2015 (photo credit: IDF spokesperson)
    A knife used by a Palestinian man who stabbed an IDF soldier near the West Bank security fence, April 2, 2015 (photo credit: IDF spokesperson)

An IDF soldier patrolling the West Bank security fence was stabbed Thursday by a Palestinian attempting to cross the West Bank security barrier into Israel.

The soldier was stabbed in his upper body and then pinned down his attacker after a struggle.

He was evacuated to a hospital with light injuries.

The assailant was taken to an interrogation.

The incident occurred at a portion of the fence that skirts the town of Oranit, 20 kilometers east of Tel Aviv.

A routine military patrol along the fence’s access road happened upon a group of six Palestinians attempting to cross over into Israel Thursday morning, the IDF said in a statement.

One of the Palestinians brandished a blade, approached the soldier and stabbed him.

After a brief scuffle, the attacker, along with the rest of the group, was arrested by the troops.

Security forces have been on high alert ahead of the upcoming Jewish festival of Passover, which begins on Friday night.

Sensitive spots such checkpoints leading into Israel from the West Bank and Jerusalem are set to receive a beefed up security presence.

Thursday’s stabbing comes after a series of “lone-wolf” attacks that plagued Israel in recent months.

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