Arab-Israeli critically injured from IDF fire near Hebron

Suspect was driving on Route 60 near Halhul when he reached an improvised IDF checkpoint; details remain unclear.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
IDF soldiers on Gaza border 311 (photo credit: AP)
IDF soldiers on Gaza border 311
(photo credit: AP)
An Arab-Israeli man was critically injured overnight Thursday after an IDF force opened fire at his vehicle north of Hebron.
According to initial investigations, the suspect was driving south on Route 60 near the village of Halhul when he reached an improvised IDF checkpoint established to check suspicious vehicles. At the checkpoint, IDF reserve soldiers initiated arrest protocols and ultimately shot the man, critically injuring him.
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The man received initial medical care at the scene and was then evacuated by a military ambulance to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.
IDF deputy commander of the Etzion brigade arrived on the scene and was investigated as the details of the incident remain unclear. One lead suggests that the driver may have not noticed the checkpoint, which may explain the speed at which he approached the barrier.
On Thursday morning, a terrorist was shot and killed after he opened fire at an IDF post near the Mevo Dotan settlement in the northern West Bank.
IDF sources said a Palestinian armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle shot at the military watchtower just before 11 a.m. He stood about 50 meters from the soldiers and yelled “Allahu Akbar” before he opened fire.
Troops from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, known for its integration of haredi youth into the army, responded with a warning shot in the air, and when the gunman continued shooting, the soldiers returned fire, killing him.
Palestinian Authority security officials identified the man as Sami Samoudi, 23. It was unclear whether he had links to a specific terrorist organization.