Israeli Police Allow Soldier to Continue Training Amid Investigation of Shooting Near Palestinian Village

Israeli police have requested the commanders of an IDF soldier, arrested on suspicion of involvement in a shooting that wounded a Palestinian child near the village of Al-Mughayir in the Binyamin region, to allow the soldier to continue his military training using alternative weapons. The soldier's personal weapon was confiscated during his arrest and remains with the police for forensic examination. Authorities are awaiting the extraction and analysis of the bullet from the child's back to determine if it matches the soldier's weapon. A police source stated that until forensic experts confirm who fired the shot and whether the soldier's weapon caused the injury, the soldier may complete his training. The soldier was detained following reports of the shooting on Saturday. Meanwhile, the legal organization Honenu and local residents claim the soldier did not fire during the incident, asserting he was on leave and came to assist a shepherd under attack. They maintain that the soldier waited for security forces to arrive and that IDF troops were responsible for dispersing rioters. The soldier's attorney, Nati Rom, also denied that his client fired any shots. The police investigation continues as forensic results are pending to clarify the shooter’s identity and the bullet’s origin.