Shin Bet investigating fatal stabbing of Palestinian during brawl with settlers

The Shin Bet has joined police in investigating the stabbing of a Palestinian man during a brawl with Israeli settlers near Salfit yesterday, a spokesperson for the internal security service says.

A Jerusalem court signed off on a request by police for a gag order on the details of the investigation, including the names of the suspects. The case is being led by Israel Police’s Judea and Samaria Nationalist Crime unit, which often examines cases involving Jewish extremist violence.

Local Palestinians say Ali Hassan Harb, 27, was stabbed to death by a settler on his land after a group of Israelis arrived to look into building an illegal outpost in the area.

Initial reports by Israeli settlers described a mass assault by 40 Palestinians wielding stones and clubs.