Van driver tries to hit security forces at West Bank checkpoint, police say

The driver of a Palestinian van refused to stop at a West Bank checkpoint and drove the vehicle toward soldiers, police said in a statement Friday morning.

Israeli troops opened fire at the vehicle to stop it. There were no casualties.

Police said the van arrived at the Hizma checkpoint from the West Bank and ignored calls to halt for inspection.

“The driver tried to break through the checkpoint at high speed, attempting to hit [Israelis stationed there],” police said in a statement.

Border Police and security guards immediately raised the spiked barrier to stop the vehicle, and the driver then quickly reversed, also toward Israeli troops.

Police said the vehicle was moving in a “life-threatening manner” and Israeli forces then opened fire to stop the van’s trajectory.

The van police say was driven toward troops at the Hizma checkpoint, May 20, 2022. (Israel Police)

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene, but four passengers were arrested — all were West Bank residents.

Police said that suspected drugs and pepper spray were found during a search of the vehicle.

The incident was not thought to be a terror attack, however, it came amid heightened tensions against a backdrop of terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank that have left 19 dead since March 22.