Gantz expresses sorrow over death of 78-year-old Palestinian As’ad

Defense Minister Benny Gantz expresses sorrow at the death of a 78-year-old Palestinian man who suffered heart failure after being bound, gagged and abandoned at a construction site in the middle of winter by Israeli soldiers, saying Israel would take action against any “deviations” from IDF values.

Gantz makes his remarks after a visit to the West Bank, in which he met with top IDF officers, as well as the head of the Shin Bet and the commander of the Israel Police’s West Bank division.

“Along with the full support that we give to the IDF to carry out its mission — we will act against any deviations from the norms of IDF values, as we saw in the death of Omar As’ad. I was updated about the investigation, which was approved by the chief of staff, and I want to express sorrow at his death. The Military Police probe into this incident will continue,” Gantz says in a video statement following the tour.

The defense minister also calls for the IDF, Shin Bet and police to crack down on “nationalistic crime and Jewish terror” in the West Bank. The past year saw a major rise in violent attacks by Israeli extremists against Palestinians and, to a lesser extent, Israeli left-wing activists and security forces. Gantz has called for the military and law enforcement to take a harsher stance against this violence.

“The IDF, police and Shin Bet are expanding their efforts, and we will ensure that all of the necessary forces are prepared for the mission. This is a fight that is important for our security and no less important for our ethical character,” Gantz says.