An Israeli security official shot dead a Palestinian man with his knife Tuesday at the Gush Etzion junction on the West Bank after he said he tried to use it to attack him.
The Gush Etzion junction is near a cluster of Israeli cities southwest of the Palestinian city of Bethlehem, the military said in a statement.
View of the attack attempted at the Gush Etzion junction
(Video: TPS)
“(A) A community security officer saw a suspect approaching the junction. Following the suspect, the security officer and an IDF soldier worked to stop the suspect by firing into the air, “the statement said.
IDF forces at the site of the attempted attack at the Gush Etzion junction
(Photo: IDF Speaker Unit)
“The suspect threw a knife at the officer, who responded with fire and neutralized the suspect,” the statement said.
The IDF said it had launched a probe about the incident and investigated whether the suspect – Ahed Ahkhalil who lives in a nearby town – was working alone. Officers searched his house and questioned family members.
No further casualties were reported.
The Palestinian health ministry confirmed Ahkhalil’s death but said there were no details about his identity.
(Photo: Lifeguards without borders)
The woman has been identified as the wife of convicted Jewish terrorist Jack Teitel, who is currently serving two life sentences for the murder of two Palestinians.
IDF troops surrounded the nearby town of Dier Nidham in search of the perpetrators. Several suspects were arrested hours later.