IDF probing fatal shooting of Palestinian convert to Judaism in West Bank
Sameh Zaytoun reportedly had hands in air during ‘serious incident’ at Elazar junction; small knife later found in his bag
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Military Police launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of a Palestinian man at a junction near a West Bank settlement on Thursday morning, in what the military described as a “serious incident.”
Sameh Muhammad Abd al-Rai Zaytoun, 63, from Hebron, was shot dead by a reservist soldier after getting out of a Palestinian taxi at a bus station near the settlement of Elazar, south of Jerusalem.
The Israel Defense Forces said Zaytoun had “aroused suspicion” of the soldiers stationed in the vicinity, and one opened fire. A small knife was found in the man’s bag after he was killed, but Israeli officials were unsure if he had indeed posed a threat.
“Immediately upon receiving the report about the serious incident, the Military Advocate General ordered the opening of an investigation by the Military Police,” the IDF said.
According to Hebrew-language media reports, Zaytoun had his hands in the air when he was shot.
Zaytoun had converted to Judaism several years ago and was known as David Ben Avraham. According to reports, he had sought to obtain Israeli citizenship but was rebuffed by authorities.
מצ"ח פתחה בחקירת האירוע שבו נורה הבוקר למוות סמאח זיתון בן 62, פלסטיני מחברון שהיה בתהליך גיור, במהלך בידוק ביטחוני של חיילי מילואים בגוש עציון. מתחקיר האירוע עולה כי הבוקר, כוח ההגמ"ר, זיהה מהש.ג של אלעזר פלסטיני ששירד ממונית ולדבריהם התנהג בצורה חשודה. אחד החיילים הגיע למקום,… pic.twitter.com/MhAvBqRwDb
— איתי בלומנטל ???????? Itay Blumental (@ItayBlumental) March 21, 2024
The reservist’s attorneys, Cpt. (res.) Maya Katz and Lt. Yasmin Yonas, said in a statement that the soldier “just recently was honored for his bravery in thwarting the ramming attack that took place about three weeks ago in Gush Etzion.”
“Also in the alleged incident, the soldier acted with determination and we do not doubt that the investigation will clarify the chain of events and the case will end with an additional excellence award awarded to the soldier,” the attorneys added.
Security forces in Jerusalem and the West Bank are on high alert due to the Ramadan Muslim holy month, amid fears that tensions could ramp up as the war against the Hamas terror group continues in Gaza.
On Tuesday a gunman opened fire on two Shin Bet security service officers between the settlement of Migdal Oz and the Gush Etzion Junction, some two kilometers (1.2 miles) from the Elazar bus stop.
The pair returned fire at the gunman, “neutralizing” him, the Shin Bet and Israel Defense Forces said. One of the officers was seriously injured, and both were taken to a hospital in Jerusalem for treatment.
Palestinians say over 400 people have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since hostilities broke out with the Hamas terror group in Gaza on October 7, most while carrying out attacks or during clashes with IDF troops.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
