IDF soldiers shot to death a 19-year-old Palestinian near the Dotan army base southwest of the West Bank town of Jenin Thursday morning.
The army said the Palestinian was killed after he ignored soldiers’ warnings and infiltrated the base, while the Palestinians claim he was an innocent passerby.
The man, Ala Khantuli, was apparently unarmed. He reached the base compound, slated for evacuation Thursday, in the morning. The base’s evacuation will mark the completion of the northern West Bank pullout.
The army says troops spotted the youngster, called on him to stop, and only fired at him after he ignored their orders and continued to move into the base. The IDF added the troops treated the wounded Palestinian before he was transferred to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Military officials said Palestinians have recently attempted to enter the base, which has been in the process of dismantlement for several months now, in a show of force and in order to steal equipment.
“We relayed a message through the coordination and liaison mechanisms and made it clear we will not allow Palestinians to enter the compound while jeopardizing the safety of soldiers,” one official said.
First Lieutenant Shmulik Kalami, who was in the local commanding officer at the scene, told Ynet, "Yesterday, a group of 500 Palestinians came to the base. They thought we would be leaving overnight already. They came in convoys with flags and slogans, with an intention of taking over the camp. During the night, four Palestinians infiltrated the camp, and were caught by the IDF. We transmitted a message, using a variety of way, that whoever is caught in the camp is endangering his life."
"This morning, a number Palestinians came to the camp. An IDF force identified them and proceeded to arrest them as suspects. They escaped in two groups. One of the Palestinians ran towards the center of the camp, causing a soldier to think that he was a terrorist with a suicide bomb strap. He fired two shots in the air, called on him to stop, in Arabic too, and after the Palestinian failed to stop, the soldier fired at him, hitting him in the shoulder."
Kalami said that the Palestinians were "intent on taking out metal from the camp. We don't know who is an innocent civilian and who is not, and we won't let this go on in silene. Even someone who is blind can hear the heavy machinery working in the camp."
Ali Waked contributed to the report
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