Ramming attack unfolded in seconds as troops inspected cars — report

An initial investigation into a ramming attack at a West Bank checkpoint that killed two troops has found that the incident unfolded in a matter of seconds and that soldiers did not have time to open fire to attempt to stop the attack, the Ynet news site reports.

According to the outlet, troops had been performing random spot checks on Palestinian cars leaving Nablus, causing a short line to form.

Staff Sgt. Eliya Hilel and Staff Sgt. Diego Shvisha Harsaj were checking a car at the front of the line when a vehicle further back went around the queue and sped at the two troops, hitting them, Ynet reports.

This composite image shows Staff Sgt. Diego Shvisha Harsaj and Staff Sgt. Eliya Hilel of the Kfir Brigade’s Nahshon Battalion, who were killed in a car-ramming attack outside the West Bank city of Nablus on May 29, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

The car then made a U-turn and sped back toward Nablus. According to reports, the driver turned themselves in to Palestinian authorities.

The military says IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited the scene of the suspected attack last night to launch a preliminary investigation and perform a situational assessment.

This morning, Maj. Gen Yehuda Fox, who heads the IDF’s Central Command, also visited the scene to assess the situation along with soldiers and commanders operating there.