Using duct-taped gun, Palestinians shoot in air at IDF checkpoint

Soldiers nabs 2 suspected of breaking through barrier, firing shots; overnight, 5 suspected Hamas members arrested

By Judah Ari Gross 24 January 2017, 1:20 pm

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Judah Ari Gross is The Times of Israel's religions and Diaspora affairs correspondent.

A homemade gun that is believed to have been used to fire shots in the air at a checkpoint in the northern West Bank on January 24, 2017. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

Israeli troops arrested a pair of Palestinians who are suspected of firing a homemade gun into the air after breaking through a checkpoint in the West Bank on Tuesday, the army said.

Earlier, a car burst through a checkpoint set up outside the Ofra settlement, northeast of Ramallah, while one of its occupants shot into the air.

No one was injured, and no damage was caused, the army said.

“An IDF force gave chase after the car and caught two suspects inside it, who were in possession of a makeshift weapon,” the army said.

A picture of the gun, provided by the military, shows a slapdash device, apparently constructed from water pipes and held together with duct tape.

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The two were handed over to the Shin Bet security service for questioning.

IDF troops make a late-night arrest in the West Bank on January 11, 2017. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit) — IDF troops make a late-night arrest in the West Bank on January 11, 2017. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)

Overnight, IDF troops arrested eight Palestinian suspects across the West Bank, the army said.

Five of them were suspected members of the Hamas terrorist group, picked up in Hebron, Tulkarem and the Jalazoun refugee camp.

The rest are believed to have taken part in so-called “popular terrorism,” a catch-all term used by the military that generally refers to rock throwing or participating in violent protests.