Israeli shot dead after driving into Palestinian city in Samaria

IDF troops were operating in Qalqilya following the attack.

(JNS)

An Israeli man was shot and killed on Saturday after driving his vehicle into the Palestinian city of Qalqilya in western Samaria, according to the military.

Images circulating on social media appeared to show the victim’s car set alight after Palestinian medics reportedly had transferred him to an Israeli ambulance at the entrance of the city.

Israel Defense Forces troops were operating in Qalqilya following the deadly attack, and authorities opened a probe into the incident.

Israelis are barred from entering Qalqilya, along with other regions of Judea and Samaria under full Palestinian administrative and security control, collectively designated Area A under the Oslo Accords.

The shooting comes a day after Israeli forces killed two wanted Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists during a raid in Qalqilya.

Police said the PIJ members, one of whom was planning an attack in the area, opened fire on officers during an attempted arrest, prompting them to return fire.

That, in turn, followed an attack in which a 78-year-old Israeli man was mortally wounded near Qalqilya on Thursday.

According to the police, first responders “received a report of a man in his 70s who arrived at the Eliyahu Crossing in Samaria unconscious and is being treated by Magen David Adom personnel.”

An initial probe found the victim was robbed of his car and then severely beaten.

Since Oct. 7, Israeli forces have arrested some 4,150 wanted Palestinians across Judea and Samaria, of whom more than 1,750 are affiliated with Hamas.

Image: The Judea and Samaria security barrier near Qalqilya in western Samaria, May 17, 2009. Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90.