Palestinian Suspect Shot and Arrested After Attempted Breach at Hashmonaim Crossing

A Palestinian suspect from Bethlehem was shot and arrested Tuesday morning after, police say, he broke through a police checkpoint at the Hashmonaim crossing, hit patrol vehicles, and tried to run over officers. Police said they had been preparing to stop a stolen car heading toward the crossing on Route 446.

According to the police account, once the suspect spotted the officers, he tried to escape by driving recklessly forward, damaging cars waiting in line, and then reversing. Officers who gathered at the scene quickly opened fire on the vehicle after they felt their lives were in danger.

The suspect was wounded and treated at the scene. The Hashmonaim crossing was briefly closed to traffic in both directions, then reopened. Police said the investigation into the circumstances of the incident is continuing.