Police reiterate Israeli citizens should not enter Area A in the West Bank

A day after an Israeli man was killed in the West Bank city of Qalqilya, police reiterate that it is against the law for Israeli citizens to enter areas of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority control.

“In recent times we have witnessed many cases of Israeli citizens entering Area A, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority,” police say. “Entry into these areas is prohibited by law for citizens of the State of Israel and may cost human lives, as has happened in recent days.”

Police note that some Israelis enter these areas for shopping, trading and repairing their cars, leaving them at risk of being targeted.

Police also say that some Israelis enter these areas due to mistakes in navigation, and urge vigilance.

“The Israel Police reiterates that entry into area A is prohibited by law and constitutes a real danger to life,” the statement concludes.

The statement comes after Amnon Muchtar, 67, of Petah Tikva was shot in his vehicle by unknown gunmen in Qalqilya yesterday. The army said it was probing the shooting along with police as a potential terror attack, but was also exploring the possibility it could have been criminally motivated.

On Thursday, Moshe Dadoush died after he apparently collapsed during a violent car-jacking at the entrance to Qalqilya.

Area A of the West Bank is officially under complete Palestinian Authority control, though the Israeli military regularly enters despite Palestinian opposition.