A Palestinian terrorist tried to stab a soldier at a bus stop near the Samaria Territorial Brigade's base in the Nablus area on Monday morning.
IDF troops were able to overpower the attacker without opening fire. No one was hurt in the incident.
Vehicle-ramming attack thwarted
The Palestinian arrived at the bus stop, pulled out a screwdriver and tried to stab a soldier on patrol.
The attacker was being questioned on the scene.
In the past two years, IDF fighters in the various sectors have experienced hundreds of attempted attacks, and in all events, the fighters were forced to make a momentary, fateful decision without any advance intelligence.
"I reported there was a suspect here with a sharp object in his hand, and I cocked my rifle even before he lifted the screwdriver in the air, and we acted very swiftly and I feel satisfied to be defending the sector,” said Sgt. P.
"I did not feel especially threatened, but if the terrorist had advanced or done anything more, I would have fired if I had to," said Sgt. Yonatan, who arrived to the sector a mere two weeks ago with his regiment. "We acted according to the instructions and I understand the logic behind them. We used reasonable force and this option was preferable."
Sergeant P. added: "We acted well, because if the terrorist is not really threatening and can be neutralized without firing then it is preferable. We will behave in the same manner next time as well.” The two soldiers were backed up and praised by their commanders in Golani, for they made the decisions on their own, while exercising their discretion, while their commander was on the far side of the compound, in his position, as part of the security deployment.
First published: 11:41, 03.27.17