12 aug 2015
By Khalid Amayreh in Occupied Palestine
Lone-wolf operations refer to retaliatory attacks by individuals having deep grievances resulting from overwhelming oppression.
Such attacks are almost impossible to categorize or systematize, let alone forecast. It is very hard to predict when and where they will happen.
This type of attacks occurs from time to time in occupied Palestine, especially when the level of Israeli repression of Palestinians reaches exceptionally high levels.
The attacks usually assume several forms, including, inter alia, stabbing with a knife or a similar sharp tool, hitting with a metal object, running over soldiers or settlers using vehicles (vehicular attacks).
Most Palestinians feel such attacks are inevitable if not legitimate due to overwhelming Israeli repression, which includes cold-blooded murder outside the law as well as hefty jail sentences disproportionate to violations committed.
Palestinians are also subject to draconian punishments and reprisals including home-demolitions, land confiscation, stringent restrictions on travel movement, and denial of employment opportunities as well as flagrant incarceration for years without charge or trial.
Recently, the Israeli political-establishment started setting messianic Jewish settlers to attack Palestinian civilians.
Israel denies instructing settlers to carry out "dirty acts" against Palestinians, including setting Palestinian homes on fire, burning mosques and churches as well as terrorizing Palestinian civilians and vandalizing their property.
However, the relentless persistence of Jewish terrorist acts in the West Bank leaves no doubt as to the collusion and implicit coordination between the paramilitary settlers and the military establishment.
The new (old) reign of terror campaign has resulted in some Nazi-like incidents, including the burning to death of a Palestinian toddler, Ali Dawabshe, and his father at the village of Duma, south of Nablus, about two weeks ago.
Israel has utterly failed to put an end to such criminal acts as settlers feel well protected by the security establishment as well as by the brazenly biased justice system which itself is heavily infiltrated by settlers and their sympathizers.
Needless to say, this heavy handed oppression of a people languishing under a harsh occupation for decades serves to narrow Palestinian horizons. It generates a lot of rage, frustration and a burning desire for revenge. It also pushes Palestinian youngsters, both men and women, to the edge.
Hence, the lone-wolf incidents.
The bulk of Palestinians, like all people under the sun, love and value life. Claiming otherwise is illogical and dishonest.
However, when life becomes an enduring and unrelenting nightmare, as is often under the Israeli occupation, many Palestinians, especially youngsters, don't hesitate to harbor second thoughts.
That is why, Israeli criminality is first and foremost to blame for the desperate acts carried out by desperate people whose lives have been crushed to smithereens by the evil acts and policies of the Israeli state.
In fact, we can argue with very little exaggeration that the lone-wolf attacks against Israeli targets are the inevitable "effects" or side-effects of Israel's long-established policy against the Palestinian people, a policy whose ultimate goal is to force as many Palestinians as possible to leave their ancestral homeland.
I am not eager to hurl the Nazi epithets at Jews. However, when Jews think, behave and act like the Nazis did, we should never hesitate for a moment to call the spade a spade.
Yes, Israel is not shipping Palestinians to concentration camps. But Israel is killing Palestinian by other means. Israel is also tormenting Palestinians in a variety of ways, including blockading their population centers and denying them basic human rights and civil liberties.
Needless to say, I can provide a thousand examples to corroborate my argument.
Lone-wolf operations can be prevented
True, it is next to impossible to prevent lone-wolf operations from happening. In the final analysis, one cannot prevent a person so intent on dying from dying.
Moreover, it is well-established that such individuals have deep grievances which they can't reconcile with, as many of them have gone through the painful experience of seeing their relatives murdered before their eyes, or watching their homes blown up or demolished into bits and pieces by indifferent Israeli soldiers.
Sometimes, when the level of oppression reach a certain high level, concern for life by the victims becomes a secondary factor. This is the reality that the Israeli establishment chooses to ignore due to its insolence, recalcitrance and arrogance of power.
As mentioned above, no Palestinian takes his life cheaply. No Palestinian is eager to consign himself or herself to the hereafter for disingenuous reasons.
However, when life becomes worse than death, death becomes a dear and sought-after wish.
None the less, Palestinian youngsters can be dissuaded from embarking on individual attacks, which pop up into one's head at the spur of the moment, if Israel starts treating Palestinians with a modicum of respect and humanity.
Introducing a level of civility and decency into Israel's treatment of the Palestinians would cost Israel absolutely nothing.
On the contrary, it would spare Israeli lives as well as Palestinian lives.
Would Israel be wise enough and smart enough to do it?
I honestly doubt it.
Khalid Amayreh is a Palestinian journalist and current affairs commentator living in Dura in the southern West Bank.
Lone-wolf operations refer to retaliatory attacks by individuals having deep grievances resulting from overwhelming oppression.
Such attacks are almost impossible to categorize or systematize, let alone forecast. It is very hard to predict when and where they will happen.
This type of attacks occurs from time to time in occupied Palestine, especially when the level of Israeli repression of Palestinians reaches exceptionally high levels.
The attacks usually assume several forms, including, inter alia, stabbing with a knife or a similar sharp tool, hitting with a metal object, running over soldiers or settlers using vehicles (vehicular attacks).
Most Palestinians feel such attacks are inevitable if not legitimate due to overwhelming Israeli repression, which includes cold-blooded murder outside the law as well as hefty jail sentences disproportionate to violations committed.
Palestinians are also subject to draconian punishments and reprisals including home-demolitions, land confiscation, stringent restrictions on travel movement, and denial of employment opportunities as well as flagrant incarceration for years without charge or trial.
Recently, the Israeli political-establishment started setting messianic Jewish settlers to attack Palestinian civilians.
Israel denies instructing settlers to carry out "dirty acts" against Palestinians, including setting Palestinian homes on fire, burning mosques and churches as well as terrorizing Palestinian civilians and vandalizing their property.
However, the relentless persistence of Jewish terrorist acts in the West Bank leaves no doubt as to the collusion and implicit coordination between the paramilitary settlers and the military establishment.
The new (old) reign of terror campaign has resulted in some Nazi-like incidents, including the burning to death of a Palestinian toddler, Ali Dawabshe, and his father at the village of Duma, south of Nablus, about two weeks ago.
Israel has utterly failed to put an end to such criminal acts as settlers feel well protected by the security establishment as well as by the brazenly biased justice system which itself is heavily infiltrated by settlers and their sympathizers.
Needless to say, this heavy handed oppression of a people languishing under a harsh occupation for decades serves to narrow Palestinian horizons. It generates a lot of rage, frustration and a burning desire for revenge. It also pushes Palestinian youngsters, both men and women, to the edge.
Hence, the lone-wolf incidents.
The bulk of Palestinians, like all people under the sun, love and value life. Claiming otherwise is illogical and dishonest.
However, when life becomes an enduring and unrelenting nightmare, as is often under the Israeli occupation, many Palestinians, especially youngsters, don't hesitate to harbor second thoughts.
That is why, Israeli criminality is first and foremost to blame for the desperate acts carried out by desperate people whose lives have been crushed to smithereens by the evil acts and policies of the Israeli state.
In fact, we can argue with very little exaggeration that the lone-wolf attacks against Israeli targets are the inevitable "effects" or side-effects of Israel's long-established policy against the Palestinian people, a policy whose ultimate goal is to force as many Palestinians as possible to leave their ancestral homeland.
I am not eager to hurl the Nazi epithets at Jews. However, when Jews think, behave and act like the Nazis did, we should never hesitate for a moment to call the spade a spade.
Yes, Israel is not shipping Palestinians to concentration camps. But Israel is killing Palestinian by other means. Israel is also tormenting Palestinians in a variety of ways, including blockading their population centers and denying them basic human rights and civil liberties.
Needless to say, I can provide a thousand examples to corroborate my argument.
Lone-wolf operations can be prevented
True, it is next to impossible to prevent lone-wolf operations from happening. In the final analysis, one cannot prevent a person so intent on dying from dying.
Moreover, it is well-established that such individuals have deep grievances which they can't reconcile with, as many of them have gone through the painful experience of seeing their relatives murdered before their eyes, or watching their homes blown up or demolished into bits and pieces by indifferent Israeli soldiers.
Sometimes, when the level of oppression reach a certain high level, concern for life by the victims becomes a secondary factor. This is the reality that the Israeli establishment chooses to ignore due to its insolence, recalcitrance and arrogance of power.
As mentioned above, no Palestinian takes his life cheaply. No Palestinian is eager to consign himself or herself to the hereafter for disingenuous reasons.
However, when life becomes worse than death, death becomes a dear and sought-after wish.
None the less, Palestinian youngsters can be dissuaded from embarking on individual attacks, which pop up into one's head at the spur of the moment, if Israel starts treating Palestinians with a modicum of respect and humanity.
Introducing a level of civility and decency into Israel's treatment of the Palestinians would cost Israel absolutely nothing.
On the contrary, it would spare Israeli lives as well as Palestinian lives.
Would Israel be wise enough and smart enough to do it?
I honestly doubt it.
Khalid Amayreh is a Palestinian journalist and current affairs commentator living in Dura in the southern West Bank.
10 aug 2015
Palestinians: Settler couple aroused our suspicions
Two Jewish settlers and a dog entered the West Bank village of At-Tuwani at a run Monday morning in a way that "aroused the suspicions" of the locals in light of recent attacks on Palestinians perpetrated by extremist Jews, said Palestinian sources.
The Palestinians admitted to throwing rocks at the couple, who told a slightly different story, saying that the locals had threatened to kill them as they were out for a morning run. At-Tuwani is a village visited frequently by Jews, usually without incident.
Two Jewish settlers and a dog entered the West Bank village of At-Tuwani at a run Monday morning in a way that "aroused the suspicions" of the locals in light of recent attacks on Palestinians perpetrated by extremist Jews, said Palestinian sources.
The Palestinians admitted to throwing rocks at the couple, who told a slightly different story, saying that the locals had threatened to kill them as they were out for a morning run. At-Tuwani is a village visited frequently by Jews, usually without incident.
The Hamas Movement has blessed the stabbing operation which led to the injury of one Israeli soldier on Sunday and mourned the death of the Palestinian young man who carried out the attack.
In a press release on Sunday, Hamas spokesman Husam Badran conveyed his Movement's blessing for the operation and emphasized that the Palestinian resistance started to retake the lead in the West Bank.
"The occupation state will not enjoy security in the occupied territories from now on as long as the hordes of its settlers wreak havoc in the Palestinian towns and villages and its army persists in oppressing our people," spokesman Badran underscored.
He added that the occurrence of the operation near the Ofer jail sent a message to the Palestinian prisoners that they are not alone in the face of their jailers.
The spokesman reiterated his Movement's call on the Palestinian young men in all occupied lands to strongly strike the occupation, which "only understands the language of force and arms."
A Palestinian young man was shot dead on Sunday night at a gas station near the Ofer jail checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, after he stabbed an Israeli soldier.
In a press release on Sunday, Hamas spokesman Husam Badran conveyed his Movement's blessing for the operation and emphasized that the Palestinian resistance started to retake the lead in the West Bank.
"The occupation state will not enjoy security in the occupied territories from now on as long as the hordes of its settlers wreak havoc in the Palestinian towns and villages and its army persists in oppressing our people," spokesman Badran underscored.
He added that the occurrence of the operation near the Ofer jail sent a message to the Palestinian prisoners that they are not alone in the face of their jailers.
The spokesman reiterated his Movement's call on the Palestinian young men in all occupied lands to strongly strike the occupation, which "only understands the language of force and arms."
A Palestinian young man was shot dead on Sunday night at a gas station near the Ofer jail checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, after he stabbed an Israeli soldier.
9 aug 2015
A Palestinian young man was shot dead by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) near a petrol station to the south west of Ramallah on Sunday after assaulting an IOF soldier.
An Israeli TV channel said that the young man, whose identity was not known yet, attacked a soldier with a knife and stabbed him in his shoulder in the petrol station, which is also near to Ofer military camp.
It said that other soldiers fired at the youth and killed him, and described the wounds of the soldier as minor.
Conflicting news about the condition of the young man were reported soon after the incident, which first said he was injured then said he was killed.
Palestinian youth shot dead after suspectedly stabbing settler
A Palestinian youth on Sunday night was shot dead after he “suspectedly” stabbed an Israeli settler near Mode’ein settlement, near Ramallah, wounding him lightly.Anas Taha (24) from Jerusalem district was immediately shot by Israeli police forces after he was suspected to initiate a stab attack on a settler.
Taha was wounded severely before announced dead in the Sha’ari Tsedek hospital in Jerusalem.
The IOF spokesperson said that soldiers were searching for additional “members” of the attack.
The 26-year-old settler sustained light stabs. According to Ynet, he received treatment at the “trauma center” at Sha’are HaTzedek hospital, and is now in a stable condition.
Last week, Israeli settlers have torched the home of Sa’ad Dawabsheh in Duma village near Nablus, burning his 18-month-old toddler to death.
Two days ago, Sa’ad was announced dead of wounds he sustained in the arson attack. Two Palestinian protesters were shot at the same day in protest of the terrorist arson attack.
The crime was widely condemned by Palestinian, Israeli and international bodies. However, none of the settlers was named suspect in the crime, but other right-wing extremist settlers were reportedly arrested and face a 6-month “administrative detention” for their terrorist activity.
An Israeli TV channel said that the young man, whose identity was not known yet, attacked a soldier with a knife and stabbed him in his shoulder in the petrol station, which is also near to Ofer military camp.
It said that other soldiers fired at the youth and killed him, and described the wounds of the soldier as minor.
Conflicting news about the condition of the young man were reported soon after the incident, which first said he was injured then said he was killed.
Palestinian youth shot dead after suspectedly stabbing settler
A Palestinian youth on Sunday night was shot dead after he “suspectedly” stabbed an Israeli settler near Mode’ein settlement, near Ramallah, wounding him lightly.Anas Taha (24) from Jerusalem district was immediately shot by Israeli police forces after he was suspected to initiate a stab attack on a settler.
Taha was wounded severely before announced dead in the Sha’ari Tsedek hospital in Jerusalem.
The IOF spokesperson said that soldiers were searching for additional “members” of the attack.
The 26-year-old settler sustained light stabs. According to Ynet, he received treatment at the “trauma center” at Sha’are HaTzedek hospital, and is now in a stable condition.
Last week, Israeli settlers have torched the home of Sa’ad Dawabsheh in Duma village near Nablus, burning his 18-month-old toddler to death.
Two days ago, Sa’ad was announced dead of wounds he sustained in the arson attack. Two Palestinian protesters were shot at the same day in protest of the terrorist arson attack.
The crime was widely condemned by Palestinian, Israeli and international bodies. However, none of the settlers was named suspect in the crime, but other right-wing extremist settlers were reportedly arrested and face a 6-month “administrative detention” for their terrorist activity.
8 aug 2015
An Israeli settler was injured late yesterday after being Palestinian youths threw stones at his car near Gush Etzion settlement bloc north of al-Khalil.
Hebrew sources claimed that a group of Palestinian boys hurled stones at an Israeli vehicle which was passing near Gush Etzion settlement bloc built at the expense of Palestinian lands in al-Khalil.
The settlers suffered minor to moderate injuries, the sources added.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces intensified their presence in the area and carried out raid and search operations in an attempt to arrest the boys.
Hebrew sources claimed that a group of Palestinian boys hurled stones at an Israeli vehicle which was passing near Gush Etzion settlement bloc built at the expense of Palestinian lands in al-Khalil.
The settlers suffered minor to moderate injuries, the sources added.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces intensified their presence in the area and carried out raid and search operations in an attempt to arrest the boys.
7 aug 2015
Palestinian medical sources have reported, on Thursday at night, that eight Palestinians, including a pregnant woman, have been injured, after dozens of Israeli soldiers invaded Biddu village, northwest of occupied Jerusalem, and clashed with local youths.
The sources said that three Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated metal bullets, and five other, including a pregnant woman, suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The clashes erupted after the soldiers stormed, and violently searched the home of Raed Mohammad Badwan, 46 years of age.
Local youths hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading soldiers who fired several live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs.
3 Palestinians injured during clashes
Several Palestinian citizen suffered different injuries Thursday evening as clashes broke out in Badou town west of occupied Jerusalem.
At least three Palestinians were injured with rubber bullets, while five others including a pregnant woman suffered tear-gas inhalation during the clashes.
The clashes erupted when Israeli forces stormed the town and surrounded a local home.
An ambulance was directly targeted during the clashes, causing property damage.
Israeli soldier injured in house raid
An Israeli soldier was slightly injured at dawn Friday as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) broke into the home of Raid Mohammed Badwan who earlier carried out a hit-and-run attack against Israeli soldiers west of occupied Jerusalem.
The injured soldier was taken to hospital for treatment after suffering slight wounds during the house raid.
Local youths hurled stones at the invading vehicles while storming the Badou town west of the occupied city at the early morning hours.
Earlier Thursday, three Israeli soldiers were injured in a hit-and-run by a Palestinian young man on Ramallah-Nablus highway, not far from Duma where Ali Dawahshe was burnt alive.
The sources said that three Palestinians were shot with rubber-coated metal bullets, and five other, including a pregnant woman, suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The clashes erupted after the soldiers stormed, and violently searched the home of Raed Mohammad Badwan, 46 years of age.
Local youths hurled stones and empty bottles on the invading soldiers who fired several live rounds, rubber-coated metal bullets and gas bombs.
3 Palestinians injured during clashes
Several Palestinian citizen suffered different injuries Thursday evening as clashes broke out in Badou town west of occupied Jerusalem.
At least three Palestinians were injured with rubber bullets, while five others including a pregnant woman suffered tear-gas inhalation during the clashes.
The clashes erupted when Israeli forces stormed the town and surrounded a local home.
An ambulance was directly targeted during the clashes, causing property damage.
Israeli soldier injured in house raid
An Israeli soldier was slightly injured at dawn Friday as Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) broke into the home of Raid Mohammed Badwan who earlier carried out a hit-and-run attack against Israeli soldiers west of occupied Jerusalem.
The injured soldier was taken to hospital for treatment after suffering slight wounds during the house raid.
Local youths hurled stones at the invading vehicles while storming the Badou town west of the occupied city at the early morning hours.
Earlier Thursday, three Israeli soldiers were injured in a hit-and-run by a Palestinian young man on Ramallah-Nablus highway, not far from Duma where Ali Dawahshe was burnt alive.
A large military force invaded Biddu village (northwest of Jerusalem) on Thursday evening to attack the home of a Palestinian who allegedly rammed Israeli soldiers deliberately with his car, and was then shot by an Israeli soldier. Palestinian witnesses confirm the incident was just an accident.
Israeli media sources said three soldiers were wounded in the incident that took place near Sinjel village, on the Ramallah-Nablus road.
One of the wounded soldiers suffered a life-threatening injury, while the second suffered a moderate-to-severe injury and the third was mildly wounded.
Clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of Palestinians near the home of the driver, Raed Mohammad Badwan, 46 years of age.
After the accident, the soldiers shot the driver with several live rounds, causing serious injuries, before he was moved to an Israeli hospital.
At least 25 military vehicles invaded Biddo, violently searched the home of the wounded driver, causing excessive damage, and interrogated his family.
The invasion led to clashes between the soldiers and dozens of local youths who hurled stones and empty bottles on them; the army fired gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets and rounds of live ammunition.
Both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad movement issued statements said the incident "was a heroic attack," and that “the occupation and its army must pay a high price for their terrorism against the Palestinians, especially the children, in addition to all attacks against Palestinian lands, property and holy sites.”
Initial Israeli investigations into the ramming incident reported that the Palestinian driver was driving a Honda Civic that carries an Israeli license plate, while the police say they believe the vehicle is a stolen car that had Israeli license plates forged on it.
After the terrorist Israeli firebomb attack on the Dawabsha family home in Douma village, near Ramallah, a week ago, resulting in the burning to death of a Palestinian baby, identified as Ali Dawabsha, 18 months of age, Israeli security and military officials say they believe Palestinian groups would step-up their attacks against Israeli targets.
Dawabsha’s parents remain in a very critical condition, while an improvement has been noticed in his little brother, who suffered burns in his legs.
Israeli media sources said three soldiers were wounded in the incident that took place near Sinjel village, on the Ramallah-Nablus road.
One of the wounded soldiers suffered a life-threatening injury, while the second suffered a moderate-to-severe injury and the third was mildly wounded.
Clashes took place between the invading soldiers and dozens of Palestinians near the home of the driver, Raed Mohammad Badwan, 46 years of age.
After the accident, the soldiers shot the driver with several live rounds, causing serious injuries, before he was moved to an Israeli hospital.
At least 25 military vehicles invaded Biddo, violently searched the home of the wounded driver, causing excessive damage, and interrogated his family.
The invasion led to clashes between the soldiers and dozens of local youths who hurled stones and empty bottles on them; the army fired gas bombs, rubber-coated metal bullets and rounds of live ammunition.
Both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad movement issued statements said the incident "was a heroic attack," and that “the occupation and its army must pay a high price for their terrorism against the Palestinians, especially the children, in addition to all attacks against Palestinian lands, property and holy sites.”
Initial Israeli investigations into the ramming incident reported that the Palestinian driver was driving a Honda Civic that carries an Israeli license plate, while the police say they believe the vehicle is a stolen car that had Israeli license plates forged on it.
After the terrorist Israeli firebomb attack on the Dawabsha family home in Douma village, near Ramallah, a week ago, resulting in the burning to death of a Palestinian baby, identified as Ali Dawabsha, 18 months of age, Israeli security and military officials say they believe Palestinian groups would step-up their attacks against Israeli targets.
Dawabsha’s parents remain in a very critical condition, while an improvement has been noticed in his little brother, who suffered burns in his legs.
6 aug 2015
Two soldiers in serious condition, another lightly wounded; attacker said to be seriously wounded after car overturns.
Three IDF soldiers were wounded when a car deliberately ran into them on Thursday afternoon near the Shiloh junction north of Ramallah in the West Bank. The attacker was shot and neutralized by a fourth soldier.
Magen David Adom reported that two were seriously wounded and another lightly. Officials said that one of the wounded was 20-years-old and suffered from a head injury.
At least one was treated on the scene and the two seriously wounded were evacuated to Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem's Ein Karem, while the one who was lightly wounded was taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikvah.
The driver was driving south and veered quickly to the side of the road at a group of four soldiers that was standing at the side of the road and securing the area.
While the attacker was able to hit three of the soldiers, the fourth quickly responded and opened fire at the vehicle, critically wounding the driver and overturning his car, trapping the attacker inside.
Red Crescent medical workers treated the attacker, aged 40, on the scene, and he was then taken to the Shaarei Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he arrived critically wounded with four or five gunshot wounds. A Palestinian security source identified him as a resident of a West Bank village near Jerusalem.
The troops were sent as to reinforcement the area over the past week after the attack in Duma, in which a Palestinian baby was killed when his home was set aflame.
Large IDF forces from the Binyamin Territorial Brigade were deployed to the scene of the attack and cordoned off the road temporarily in suspicion that the vehicle, which had Israeli license plates, may be booby-trapped.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the soldiers who reacted quickly and neutralized the attacker, and sent well wishes to the wounded.
"I find it curious that those who were quick to condemn the attacks against Palestinians remain silent while terrorism is committed against Jews," the prime minister.
"The fight against Palestinian terrorism requires determination and an iron fist against the terrorists and those who send them," Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said. "We do not intend to give up on this fight, and we are using our best people and abilities to prevent attacks against the citizens of Israel."
"Terrorism is fought with zero tolerance, and so we act," the defense minister continued. "These sporadic attacks committed by individuals, just like attacks committed by terror organizations, pose a challenge to security forces, which in most cases succeed in thwarting attempts to hurt Jews simply for being Jews."
The defense minister praised the soldiers' quick reaction, and sent his well wishes to the wounded soldiers.
President Reuven Rivlin also praised the soldiers and expressed his support for Prime Minister Netanyahu "and the heads of all the security services in their uncompromising struggle for our right to live and go about our daily lives in every part of the land of Israel. Together with all the people in Israel, my prayers and wishes are with the wounded for their full and speedy recovery."
Hamas, meanwhile, praised the attacker. "This is a natural and worthy response to Israel's crimes against our people and children."
The group encouraged other Palestinians to continue the attacks, claiming this is the only language Israel understands.
The attack occurred near the scene of another attack, when two soldiers were stabbed by a Palestinian in April.
The attack comes just days after a general period of escalation in the West Bank and specifically after suspected right-wing Jewish extremists set fire to a Palestinian home in the nearby town of Duma, killing a baby and hospitalizing three other family members.
Three Israeli soldiers injured in a hit-and-run near Ramallah
Palestinian and Israeli media sources revealed that three Israeli soldiers were injured Thursday afternoon in a hit-and-run by a Palestinian young man on Ramallah-Nablus highway, not far from Duma where Ali Dawahshe was burnt alive.
The sources pointed out that two of the soldiers are in serious conditions as they were hit in the head. The Israeli forces shot the Palestinian driver and injured him severely as well.
Hebrew media sources quoted security sources as saying that the Palestinian man hit the three settlers in Street 60 near Shiloh Settlement in northern Ramallah and that his car overturned. The Israeli soldiers shot him while he was stuck inside the car.
The attacker was later identified as Raid Mohammed Badwan, 45, from the West Bank village of Biddu. Large occupation forces stormed the village and clashed with Palestinians who responded to the Israeli attack by stones. The troops fired with tear gas and stun grenades.
The hit-and-run operation came less than a week of the Israeli crime of burning a Palestinian infant alive in Duma town at the hands of Israeli fanatic settlers. It led to the martyrdom of the 1.5-year-old child Ali Dawabsheh and severe injury of his parents and brother last Friday. Later that day, Israeli troops murdered 2 more teenagers one of whom is from Gaza.
Palestinian driver shot after running over two Israeli
Three IDF soldiers were wounded when a car deliberately ran into them on Thursday afternoon near the Shiloh junction north of Ramallah in the West Bank. The attacker was shot and neutralized by a fourth soldier.
Magen David Adom reported that two were seriously wounded and another lightly. Officials said that one of the wounded was 20-years-old and suffered from a head injury.
At least one was treated on the scene and the two seriously wounded were evacuated to Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem's Ein Karem, while the one who was lightly wounded was taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikvah.
The driver was driving south and veered quickly to the side of the road at a group of four soldiers that was standing at the side of the road and securing the area.
While the attacker was able to hit three of the soldiers, the fourth quickly responded and opened fire at the vehicle, critically wounding the driver and overturning his car, trapping the attacker inside.
Red Crescent medical workers treated the attacker, aged 40, on the scene, and he was then taken to the Shaarei Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he arrived critically wounded with four or five gunshot wounds. A Palestinian security source identified him as a resident of a West Bank village near Jerusalem.
The troops were sent as to reinforcement the area over the past week after the attack in Duma, in which a Palestinian baby was killed when his home was set aflame.
Large IDF forces from the Binyamin Territorial Brigade were deployed to the scene of the attack and cordoned off the road temporarily in suspicion that the vehicle, which had Israeli license plates, may be booby-trapped.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the soldiers who reacted quickly and neutralized the attacker, and sent well wishes to the wounded.
"I find it curious that those who were quick to condemn the attacks against Palestinians remain silent while terrorism is committed against Jews," the prime minister.
"The fight against Palestinian terrorism requires determination and an iron fist against the terrorists and those who send them," Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said. "We do not intend to give up on this fight, and we are using our best people and abilities to prevent attacks against the citizens of Israel."
"Terrorism is fought with zero tolerance, and so we act," the defense minister continued. "These sporadic attacks committed by individuals, just like attacks committed by terror organizations, pose a challenge to security forces, which in most cases succeed in thwarting attempts to hurt Jews simply for being Jews."
The defense minister praised the soldiers' quick reaction, and sent his well wishes to the wounded soldiers.
President Reuven Rivlin also praised the soldiers and expressed his support for Prime Minister Netanyahu "and the heads of all the security services in their uncompromising struggle for our right to live and go about our daily lives in every part of the land of Israel. Together with all the people in Israel, my prayers and wishes are with the wounded for their full and speedy recovery."
Hamas, meanwhile, praised the attacker. "This is a natural and worthy response to Israel's crimes against our people and children."
The group encouraged other Palestinians to continue the attacks, claiming this is the only language Israel understands.
The attack occurred near the scene of another attack, when two soldiers were stabbed by a Palestinian in April.
The attack comes just days after a general period of escalation in the West Bank and specifically after suspected right-wing Jewish extremists set fire to a Palestinian home in the nearby town of Duma, killing a baby and hospitalizing three other family members.
Three Israeli soldiers injured in a hit-and-run near Ramallah
Palestinian and Israeli media sources revealed that three Israeli soldiers were injured Thursday afternoon in a hit-and-run by a Palestinian young man on Ramallah-Nablus highway, not far from Duma where Ali Dawahshe was burnt alive.
The sources pointed out that two of the soldiers are in serious conditions as they were hit in the head. The Israeli forces shot the Palestinian driver and injured him severely as well.
Hebrew media sources quoted security sources as saying that the Palestinian man hit the three settlers in Street 60 near Shiloh Settlement in northern Ramallah and that his car overturned. The Israeli soldiers shot him while he was stuck inside the car.
The attacker was later identified as Raid Mohammed Badwan, 45, from the West Bank village of Biddu. Large occupation forces stormed the village and clashed with Palestinians who responded to the Israeli attack by stones. The troops fired with tear gas and stun grenades.
The hit-and-run operation came less than a week of the Israeli crime of burning a Palestinian infant alive in Duma town at the hands of Israeli fanatic settlers. It led to the martyrdom of the 1.5-year-old child Ali Dawabsheh and severe injury of his parents and brother last Friday. Later that day, Israeli troops murdered 2 more teenagers one of whom is from Gaza.
Palestinian driver shot after running over two Israeli
Israeli troops shot and wounded a Palestinian driver near Ramallah on Thursday after the car he was driving ran into two Israelis standing by the road. It's unclear whether the striking of the Israelis was accidental or on purpose.
Some reports of the incident say that the two people who were injured by the vehicle were soldiers, but that has not been confirmed by the army.
According to local sources, the Palestinian man was driving on a main road known as Route 60 in the central part of the West Bank near Ramallah, and was approaching the area near the illegal 'Shilo' settlement when his car hit two people.
Israeli soldiers then opened fire on the car, hitting it multiple times and injuring the driver, causing the vehicle to roll over, causing even more severe injuries to the driver.
All three were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The incident is under investigation, and it remains unknown whether the driver intentionally hit the Israelis or not.
According to the Guardian newspaper, "Since Israel's separation wall was built...route 60 has become the sole route out of Ramallah to Nablus in the north and Jericho in the east. Only the few Palestinians who have Jerusalem ID cards and those with rarely bestowed Israeli permits can pass through the wall.
"Mohammed Shtayeh, the Palestinian Authority's minister for homes and public works until 2010, says the Israeli authorities' refusal to allow the Palestinian Authority to repair and maintain roads running through Area C can be linked to a rise in road accidents in the West Bank. There were more than 5,400 road accidents in the West Bank in 2010 – four times as many as in 2006 – injuring more than 7,000 people."
Parts of Route 60 are known to Palestinian residents as 'the road of death' because of the treacherous conditions - a 2012 bus accident of preschoolers on a field trip resulted in the deaths of nine kids.
Thursday's incident on Route 60 follows an explosion in Gaza Thursday morning of an unexploded bomb left by Israeli troops, in which four members of the same family were killed, and 13 others were wounded.
In addition, the past week has seen numerous instances of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, the most striking attack being the attack one week ago in which Israeli paramilitary forces threw a firebomb at a Palestinian home, burning to death an 18-month old baby and wounded his parents and brother so severely that they are expected to be in the Intensive Care Unit for a year.
Hamas: hit-and-run is natural response to Israeli crimes
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, hailed the hit-and-run attack against Israeli soldiers at noon on Thursday in the West Bank.
Three Israeli soldiers were injured, two in critical conditions, as Palestinian man, Raed Badwan, 45, rammed his car into them. Badwan was stuck in his car and was shot while inside it. He is in critical condition now.
Hamas spokesman Abdurrahman Shadid said, in a press statement, the operation is legitimate and a natural response to Israeli crimes in the West Bank.
Shadid stressed the Palestinian right of resisting Israeli crimes targeting Palestinians including detainees and infants in addition to the Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
He called on the Palestinian people in the West Bank to conduct more of such resistance operations against the Israeli forces.
Some reports of the incident say that the two people who were injured by the vehicle were soldiers, but that has not been confirmed by the army.
According to local sources, the Palestinian man was driving on a main road known as Route 60 in the central part of the West Bank near Ramallah, and was approaching the area near the illegal 'Shilo' settlement when his car hit two people.
Israeli soldiers then opened fire on the car, hitting it multiple times and injuring the driver, causing the vehicle to roll over, causing even more severe injuries to the driver.
All three were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The incident is under investigation, and it remains unknown whether the driver intentionally hit the Israelis or not.
According to the Guardian newspaper, "Since Israel's separation wall was built...route 60 has become the sole route out of Ramallah to Nablus in the north and Jericho in the east. Only the few Palestinians who have Jerusalem ID cards and those with rarely bestowed Israeli permits can pass through the wall.
"Mohammed Shtayeh, the Palestinian Authority's minister for homes and public works until 2010, says the Israeli authorities' refusal to allow the Palestinian Authority to repair and maintain roads running through Area C can be linked to a rise in road accidents in the West Bank. There were more than 5,400 road accidents in the West Bank in 2010 – four times as many as in 2006 – injuring more than 7,000 people."
Parts of Route 60 are known to Palestinian residents as 'the road of death' because of the treacherous conditions - a 2012 bus accident of preschoolers on a field trip resulted in the deaths of nine kids.
Thursday's incident on Route 60 follows an explosion in Gaza Thursday morning of an unexploded bomb left by Israeli troops, in which four members of the same family were killed, and 13 others were wounded.
In addition, the past week has seen numerous instances of Israeli settler violence against Palestinians, the most striking attack being the attack one week ago in which Israeli paramilitary forces threw a firebomb at a Palestinian home, burning to death an 18-month old baby and wounded his parents and brother so severely that they are expected to be in the Intensive Care Unit for a year.
Hamas: hit-and-run is natural response to Israeli crimes
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, hailed the hit-and-run attack against Israeli soldiers at noon on Thursday in the West Bank.
Three Israeli soldiers were injured, two in critical conditions, as Palestinian man, Raed Badwan, 45, rammed his car into them. Badwan was stuck in his car and was shot while inside it. He is in critical condition now.
Hamas spokesman Abdurrahman Shadid said, in a press statement, the operation is legitimate and a natural response to Israeli crimes in the West Bank.
Shadid stressed the Palestinian right of resisting Israeli crimes targeting Palestinians including detainees and infants in addition to the Muslims’ holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
He called on the Palestinian people in the West Bank to conduct more of such resistance operations against the Israeli forces.
