Soldier in Qalqilya (archives)
Photo: AFP
PA policeman injures 2 soldiers in Qalqilya
IDF force fired on during detention activity in West Bank; soldiers retaliate, moderately wounding Palestinian policeman. Joint Israeli-Palestinian investigation to be launched into incident
Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers were lightly injured Wednesday night during a detention activity in the West Bank city of Qalqilya. The force, which was fired on as it began the activity, retaliated and moderately wounded the shooter – a Palestinian policeman.
The injured soldiers were evacuated to the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva for medical treatment.
An initial inquiry revealed that the incident had been the result of a misunderstanding. The Palestinian policemen were at the area as part of their activity against Hamas men, and were instructed to leave the area as part of their coordination with the Israeli security forces.
The order was apparently issued too late, and at the same time the policeman descried the soldiers, some of whom were disguised.
One of the Palestinian policemen fired at an IDF vehicle, and two soldiers were injured by shrapnel. The troops fired back, wounding the policeman. He was evacuated to a Qalqilya hospital.
The IDF and security forces cooperate with the Palestinian organizations in the city on a regular basis on certain issues, and therefore defense officials estimate that the firing incident was not intentional.
Civil Administration chief Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai offered to hold a joint investigation, which is expected to take place later Thursday.
