Military Police Investigates Soldier for Shooting Palestinian in West Bank

The Military Police's Criminal Investigation Division has opened an investigation into a regular IDF soldier attending a non-commissioned officers' course. The soldier is accused of shooting a Palestinian man in the leg near the "Zait BaGilboa" farm in the northern West Bank. The incident occurred during a suspect arrest procedure.

The soldier and other troops were dispatched to the area following a report from a Jewish shepherd who claimed dozens of Palestinians were approaching him with stones. According to the farm's owners, residents from the village of Fiqou'a approached the shepherd, and three soldiers stationed at the farm, along with the owner, intervened. The farm claims the Palestinians continued to advance with stones in hand, prompting the soldiers to fire into the air. They further stated that after the crowd closed to within a few meters, permission was given to shoot at the leg, after which the Palestinians dispersed and additional forces arrived.

However, military sources cited by Army Radio stated that the shooting deviated from standing orders and open-fire regulations. These sources indicated that available documentation did not show the injured Palestinian posing an immediate threat or holding a stone. "The shooting was disproportionate, it exceeded the orders," the sources told Army Radio, adding that senior commanders in the Central Command are concerned about incidents of firing contrary to orders, emphasizing that while there is no dilemma when lives are in danger, incidents where the reason for firing is not to neutralize an immediate threat warrant investigation.

The IDF confirmed that a soldier fired during a confrontation in Fiqou'a village on Friday and that the Military Police investigation was initiated. The IDF stated it would not comment on an ongoing investigation.