IDF thwarts West Bank stabbing attempt, attacker killed

No soldiers hurt in incident.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM
Updated: JANUARY 11, 2017 01:01
Attempted stabbing at Hawara checkpoint near Nablus, December 17, 2015. (photo credit: DORON MAH TOV/ MIDABRIM BATIKSHORET)
Attempted stabbing at Hawara checkpoint near Nablus, December 17, 2015.
(photo credit: DORON MAH TOV/ MIDABRIM BATIKSHORET)
The IDF thwarted a wouldbe knife attack Tuesday morning, killing the Palestinian assailant who ran at soldiers on patrol in the vicinity of the al-Faria refugee camp near Nablus.
While soldiers from the Duvdevan special forces unit were performing routine activities, the man ran at them brandishing a knife and shouting “Allahu Akbar,” an army statement said.
Soldiers shot at the man after initial attempts to stop the impending attack failed. He died at the scene.
Palestinian media identified the man as 32-year-old Muhammad al-Salahi, who had spent three years in Israeli prisons.
According to Khalid Mansour, a member of the Palestinian People’s Party who was quoted by Palestinian news agency Ma’an, Salihi had been shot at least six times by IDF soldiers who had entered his home.
The PA Foreign Ministry released a statement regarding Salahi’s death, condemning the “horrific crime in the strongest terms,” warning against “field executions as a standard affair” and calling for it to be brought to the International Criminal Court.
“The occupation army committed a new crime when it raided the Faria camp Tuesday morning, terrorizing its families and raiding their homes in the way of criminal gangs, including the home of the martyr and liberated prisoner Muhammad al-Salahi, 32, who the occupation soldiers executed in cold blood in front of his mother, leaving him bleeding on the ground until he died, preventing anyone from coming to his aid,” the statement read.
Fatah also condemned Salahi’s death, with spokesman Osama Qawasmi stating that it was a “premeditated crime” carried out in front of Salahi’s mother.
“What Israel is doing with their incursions, arrests and assassinations are serious crimes against humanity and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and basic human rights,” Qawasmi said, stressing that the Palestinian people would “continue their legitimate struggle, no matter what the cost of the sacrifices.”
The incident came two days after four IDF soldiers were killed and another 17 injured in a truck-ramming attack in Jerusalem.
During the incident, explosives were also thrown toward the troops; however, no soldiers were wounded. The IDF arrested four other Palestinian suspects during the operation and transferred them to the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) for questioning.
Adam Rasgon contributed to this report.