Police ignored a series of claims regarding the incident near Hebron
Police have concluded a preliminary investigation into the incident near Hebron where a security officer shot and killed a 17-year-old Palestinian. Findings indicate that ultra-Orthodox hikers were attacked with stones in Area B, prompting the security officer to open fire. The official statement omits claims regarding the threat level after warning shots were fired, as well as reports of arson and live fire by Israelis.
The police announced on Friday evening that they have completed a preliminary investigation into the clashes between ultra-Orthodox hikers and Palestinians near Hebron, during which a 17-year-old Palestinian was shot to death by a security officer from a local outpost. According to police, "local Palestinian rioters" attacked the hikers with stones on the outskirts of a village in Area B. The group had arrived at the location without coordination with the IDF.
Police stated that the security officer "reacted to a danger to the lives of the Israelis" and acted to protect the group. The statement emphasized that the hikers did not provoke the incident. The lack of coordination will be reviewed by the IDF, while the investigation into the identities of the Palestinians involved continues.
However, the police statement did not address several key details, including the security officer's claim that the Palestinians did not retreat after warning shots were fired, nor did it comment on Palestinian reports of a house being set on fire or allegations that Israelis opened live fire, wounding a 70-year-old man.
The IDF spokesperson confirmed that forces were deployed to the area of Sa'ir following reports of stone-throwing. The IDF clarified that unapproved hikes endanger participants and divert military resources from counter-terrorism missions.
Escalation in Judea and Samaria
Tensions in Judea and Samaria are rising. Ideological hiking, often conducted without IDF approval, frequently leads to friction with local Palestinian residents. With 25 battalions deployed across the territory, the IDF is stretched thin, and such incidents force military forces to divert from operational duties.
Minister of Defense Israel Katz recently instructed the IDF to prepare a plan to transfer all law enforcement authority over Israeli citizens in Judea and Samaria to the police. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir has previously stated that the IDF is overburdened and should no longer be responsible for policing such incidents.
