An 18-year-old Palestinian was seriously injured by gunfire after an Israeli resident of Binyamin shot him following an attempted ambush, Hebrew media sources reported shortly after midnight on Thursday.
The Israeli, a resident of the settlement of Ma'ale Levona, was driving with his family when they encountered a large stone barricade in the road, according to the Binyamin Regional Council.
The vehicle, which was reportedly forced to stop due to the barricade, was then pelted with stones by a number of Palestinian assailants, according to the council.
Hebrew media reported that the Israeli discharged his weapon, hitting the teenager who was subsequently brought to a hospital in Ramallah with a severe chest injury.
'Self-defense shooting'
The Binyamin Regional Council stated that the Israeli took the steps he did in order to protect his family who were under serious threat of injuries as the car they were in was pelted by a volley of rocks.
"You acted as expected and required of every citizen in such a situation. You protected the lives of your wife and four children. All the respect for the correct conduct in such a situation," said Israel Gantz, the head of the council.
Media sources reported that the road where the incident occurred was subsequently blocked for traffic as Israeli security forces work to locate the suspected stone throwers.
Later, early on Thursday morning, the IDF released a comment confirming the reports of the event.
מחבלים יידו אבנים לעבר רכבים של אזרחים ישראלים הלילה במרחב הכפר סינג'יל שבחטיבת בנימין, אזרחית ישראלית נפצעה ולא הזדקקה לטיפול רפואי. אזרח ישראלי שרכבו ניזוק מאבנים, הגיב בירי.כוחות צה"ל הוקפצו למקום >>
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 4, 2023
"Palestinian militants threw stones at Israeli civilian vehicles tonight in the area of the Sinjil village," the IDF spokesperson stated. "An Israeli citizen was injured and did not require medical treatment. An Israeli citizen whose vehicle was damaged by stones responded with gunfire. IDF forces were deployed to the scene. A report of a Palestinian injured and seeking medical treatment from the Red Crescent is being investigated."