Israeli sources reported that Israeli soldiers accidentally shot and killed an Israeli settler and wounded two others, early on Friday, in the Hebron district, in the southern West Bank.Israeli daily, Haaretz, reported that according to a preliminary investigation, the soldiers received a tip on what was described as “suspicious activity in the area”, and installed a temporary roadblock on the road between Yatta town and Hebron.
The tip was regarding a truck that was reportedly seen leaving an Israeli settlement, one of dozens, in the Hebron area.
Haaretz said that soldiers stationed at the temporary roadblock signaled to the vehicle to stop, but the driver did not attempt to slow down, an issue that pushed the soldiers to open fire.
The 60-year-old driver was killed instantly while two passengers were injured, and were moved to the Hadassah – Ein Karem hospital in Jerusalem.
According to a report by the Israeli Radio, the driver did not see the temporary roadblock that was installed by the soldiers.
An Israeli military spokesperson reported that the soldiers opened fire at the vehicles as it was speeding and appearing to be trying to avoid being stopped.
After the initial event took place, a Palestinian vehicle accidentally struck an Israeli soldier standing on the side of the street where the settler was shot, inflicting minor injuries.
Israeli Army GOC Central Command, Aviv Mizrahchi, told Haaretz that the army will be conducting an investigation into the incidents in question.
