Report: Premature detonation of grenade kills Palestinian in attempted attack on Israeli soldiers

Muhannas Mashraka dies when a grenade intended to harm Israeli forces explodes early.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 11:10
A Palestinian protester throws a tire into a fire during clashes with Israeli security forces (photo credit: AFP PHOTO)
A Palestinian protester throws a tire into a fire during clashes with Israeli security forces
(photo credit: AFP PHOTO)
A Palestinian man was killed on Monday night when a grenade intended to be used to harm Israeli soldiers near the West Bank city of Hebron apparently detonated prematurely while still in his hands.
The IDF discovered the body after receiving a report saying a road block made up of rocks was set up near Hursa, southwest of Hebron. Soldiers from an IDF unit sent to the area heard a blast, and in searches found the body of the Palestinian man.
"An initial check of the incident found that the Palestinian was killed by a grenade that he tried to hurl at a military vehicle," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said
A Palestinian hospital official said the 23-year-old man was showered in shrapnel and also shot in the head, though the military said it had not shot him.
The Islamic Jihad militant group named him as Diyaa Abdul Halim Talahmeh, claimed him as one of its members and said he had been shot dead by the soldiers.
Tensions have been high as Israel has seen an uptick in Molotov cocktail attacks and rock-throwing incidents in recent weeks, as well as an escalation of tensions at the Temple Mount.
Due to the recent rise in tensions, police and IDF security have been preparing to ensure the safety of the tens of thousands of Jews expected at the Western Wall on Yom Kippur.
The IDF announced on Monday that it will stop movement into Israel from Judea and Samaria, as well as Gaza crossings, from Tuesday at noon until Wednesday, one minute before midnight.
The closure is an annual security precaution, and comes in line with an order by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon.
“The lifting of the closure will occur in two days... in accordance with a situation evaluation,” the IDF added .
Yaakov Lappin and Daniek K. Eisenbud and Reuters contributed to this report.