IDF probe finds settlers entered off-limits West Bank area without coordination ahead of deadly clash

The IDF says the “hike” by Israelis in the northern West Bank this morning, which resulted in a deadly clash, was not coordinated with the military.

The group of dozens of Israelis, among them children, entered areas A and B of the West Bank, which are normally off limits for Israelis, according to a military probe of the incident.

As the Israelis arrived in the southern outskirts of the village of Tell, next to a mosque, a violent confrontation erupted with dozens of Palestinians. Amid the confrontation, Israeli settlers opened fire in the air, a military official says.

The civilian security coordinator for the nearby settlement of Havat Gilad then reached the scene, along with another member of the civil defense squad. An IDF company commander and platoon commander also arrived at the scene to disperse those involved, according to the probe.

Shortly after, one of the Palestinians snatched the assault rifle from one of the armed Israeli civilians and opened fire, killing civil defense squad member Benayahu Mellet, 32, and wounding at least four other Israelis.

The IDF platoon commander returned fire at the Palestinian gunman and killed him, the IDF says.

Three more Palestinians were killed, and four others were wounded in the incident. The military is still investigating how they were shot.