IDF troops shoot two Palestinian teens suspected of firebombing cars

One suspect said to be in serious condition, other sustains light injuries, as soldiers attempt to arrest them in central West Bank

Judah Ari Gross is The Times of Israel's religions and Diaspora affairs correspondent.

A Palestinian standing on a ladder tries to toss a Molotov cocktail from over Israel's security barrier during a demonstration against US President Donald Trump's peace proposal, in the West Bank village of Bilin near Ramallah, on February 7, 2020. (Abbas Momani/ AFP)
Illustrative. A Palestinian standing on a ladder tries to toss a Molotov cocktail from over Israel's security barrier during a demonstration against US President Donald Trump's peace proposal, in the West Bank village of Bilin near Ramallah, on February 7, 2020. (Abbas Momani/AFP)

Israeli troops shot two Palestinian teenagers who were suspected of throwing firebombs at cars along a central West Bank highway on Monday night, the military said.

According to Palestinian media, one of the two 17-year-old suspects was seriously injured, while the second sustained light wounds.

“IDF troops spotted two suspects throwing Molotov cocktails at passing Israeli cars on the roadway near the village of al-Khadr. IDF soldiers who were serving in the area began an arrest protocol, including opening fire at the suspects. Hits were confirmed,” the military said.

According to the Palestinian WAFA news agency, the two teenagers were taken to a nearby hospital for care.

Earlier in the day, a Palestinian woman was arrested after she entered an illegal agricultural outpost in the central West Bank and allegedly tried to stab the wife of the farm’s owner, the military said.

“A report was received from residents of Sdeh Efraim Farm that a short while ago an assailant entered the farm… and tried to stab the farm owner’s wife with a knife,” the Israel Defense Forces said.

Residents of the outpost subdued the Palestinian woman without seriously injuring her, and handed her over to IDF troops who arrived at the scene.

The military said a knife was recovered.

According to a local resident who spoke to The Times of Israel, the woman was said to be named Anhar al-Deek and came from the nearby village of Ni’ma. WAFA reported that al-Deek was 25 years old and had one young child.

In the predawn hours of Monday morning, the military said a Palestinian man tried to stab a soldier as his unit was conducting an arrest raid in the northern West Bank village of Tubas.

The soldier was lightly wounded in the exchange, but succeeded in pushing his attacker back, allowing his commander to open fire, shooting and injuring the assailant.

Aaron Boxerman contributed to this report. 

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