Israeli Security Coordinator Indicted for Shooting Palestinian Woman

An indictment was filed Friday against Pinhas Shem Tov Ran, a 37-year-old security coordinator from the Itamar settlement in the Samaria region, for a shooting incident last month. Ran allegedly fired at a vehicle near the village of Aqrab, east of Nablus, resulting in the serious injury of an 18-year-old Palestinian woman. The indictment charges him with aggravated assault and obstruction of justice, with prosecutors seeking his continued detention until the proceedings conclude.

According to the indictment, on September 18, Ran entered Aqrab, a village outside his jurisdiction, accompanied by a career soldier. After stopping and checking the IDs of passersby without authorization, he attempted to stop a vehicle carrying a couple. The driver, fearing for their safety, continued driving. In response, Ran drew his weapon and fired at least three shots at the departing vehicle. Two bullets struck the car and the young woman seated beside the driver, causing her serious injury. One bullet lodged in her lung, near her heart, requiring surgery and several days of hospitalization.

The indictment further details that Ran later returned to the scene to search for shell casings in an attempt to obstruct the investigation and subsequently denied his presence there to security officials. It also notes that prior to this incident, Ran had received multiple clarification talks from military officials warning him not to exceed his designated area of responsibility and to adhere strictly to procedures, particularly regarding opening fire.

The indictment follows a joint investigation by the Judea and Samaria District Central Unit and the Shin Bet. Ran and the soldier who was with him were arrested earlier this month. Their weapons and the Ranger vehicle they used were seized during the search.

Honenu organization, representing Ran, stated that he has an "exceptional life story" as a veteran fighter whose family has paid a heavy price in war. They highlighted his extensive reserve duty since the start of the "Swords of Iron" war, his participation in battles in Gaza and southern Lebanon, and his continued volunteering for operational missions even after his brother, Major Orr Yossef Ran, was killed on October 7 fighting terrorists. The organization also mentioned that Ran was recognized as an outstanding security coordinator in September and received an award for his service alongside special forces fighters. According to Ran's account, the incident occurred when he and another officer, acting in their official capacity, were in a Ranger vehicle near Aqrab. They claim a vehicle without license plates approached them at high speed, appearing to attempt to run them over. Fearing for their lives, they jumped aside. Ran claims he then fired into the air to make the vehicle stop, but it fled into the village.