Israeli Soldier's Weapon Stolen During Clash in South Hebron; Four Palestinians Arrested

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israeli Police, and Shin Bet announced on Monday that four Palestinians have been arrested for their involvement in the theft of a weapon from an Israeli soldier on leave in the Susya area of southern Mount Hebron last Saturday. The incident occurred during a violent confrontation between Israeli civilians and Palestinians, which included mutual stone-throwing. During the clash, a Palestinian assailant seized the weapon from a 25-year-old Israeli soldier who was tending sheep nearby. The soldier was injured in the head by a stone and was hospitalized in moderate condition.

Following the incident, security forces conducted extensive searches in the area, recovering the stolen weapon and arresting two suspects. Later, fighters from the Duvdevan Unit arrested a third suspect in the nearby town of Yatta. Another suspect surrendered to the Civil Administration after ongoing searches. All four suspects have been transferred for further investigation by security agencies. Intelligence for the investigation was provided by the Judea and Samaria Police District.

The IDF initially reported the incident as a stone-throwing clash but later clarified that it began with a deliberate attack by Palestinians on the soldier, leading to the weapon theft. Gunfire was heard in the area after the attack, and the assailants fled to a nearby village. The stolen weapon was found close to the scene shortly afterward.