Video from a deadly confrontation in the northern West Bank on Friday appeared to show a Palestinian man snatching a rifle from an Israeli in civilian clothes before opening fire, killing a member of a settlement security team.
The footage showed Israeli security personnel and settlers confronting Palestinians in the area where a group of Israeli hikers had arrived earlier in the day.
A Palestinian snatches an Israeli’s rifle and opens fire during a violent confrontation near Havat Gilad in the northern West Bank
During the violent confrontation, an Israeli dressed in civilian clothes appeared to kick a Palestinian man approaching him in a threatening manner and shout at him to move away. The Palestinian then grabbed the Israeli’s rifle and began firing.
Security personnel and other armed Israelis at the scene returned fire.
Benayahu Melet, a member of Havat Gilad’s alert squad who oversaw agricultural activity at the settlement outpost, was killed in the shooting.
Havat Gilad officials said Melet, 32, a father of two, had rushed to help the group of hikers near the scene.
“How the mighty have fallen,” the community said in a message to residents. “With great pain and sorrow, we announce the murder of Benayahu Melet in a terror attack by vile terrorists while rescuing a group of hikers in the area.”
“Our hearts are with Esther, Tair Eretz and Adama Ivriya, and the entire Melet family,” the statement added. “We will assist them in every way possible.”
Security officials said visits to the area require advance coordination with the military, but the group’s trip had not been coordinated, which they described as a serious concern.
According to the officials, the incident began when the group entered Areas A and B of the West Bank, zones placed under varying degrees of Palestinian civil and security control under the Oslo Accords. A violent confrontation broke out early Friday between the hikers and dozens of Palestinians.
IDF troops were then dispatched to the scene. When soldiers from the command team of the 411th Battalion’s company commander arrived, the confrontation escalated and gunfire erupted, the officials said.
During the clash, a rifle belonging to Benayahu Melet, a member of the local alert squad, was seized. Melet was shot and killed.
“Gunfire developed between the Palestinians, settlers and soldiers,” the officials said. “A platoon commander opened fire and killed two terrorists. One of them was the terrorist who murdered Melet.”
The officials said the entire incident took place inside the village and that all weapons involved, including those recovered at the scene, were now in the possession of security forces.
“The entire incident occurred on the southern side of the village,” they said. “Before the incident, settlers fired into the air, and the IDF is investigating everyone who discharged a weapon, including members of the hiking group.”
“When the commanders arrived at the scene, they entered a chaotic situation,” the officials added. “The soldiers and other forces then worked to remove everyone involved, some of whom were children.”
The IDF said troops killed the Palestinian gunman immediately after the shooting and recovered the rifle he had seized.
“IDF troops eliminated the terrorist who carried out the shooting attack earlier today in the area of the village of Tell,” the military said. “The terrorist was eliminated immediately after carrying out the attack, and IDF troops recovered the stolen weapon.”
The Palestinian Health Ministry said four Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire and four others were wounded, three critically. It was not immediately clear whether the reported death toll included the terrorist killed after seizing the rifle
Dozens of Israeli settlers enter the Palestinian village of Fara’ata and throw stones in retaliation for Benayahu Melet's killing by a Palestinian terrorist
Following the shooting, dozens of Israeli settlers entered the Palestinian village of Fara’ata, east of Qalqilya, and threw stones in retaliation for Melet's killing, according to Palestinian reports. Video from the village appeared to show settlers setting fires.
Palestinians reported several people wounded in the violence. Their conditions were not immediately known.
IDF cancels leave for troops in West Bank
The IDF is preparing for a broad operation across the West Bank and has canceled leave for troops serving there while deploying reinforcements.
In response to the attack, the military imposed a full closure on the city of Nablus and curfews on the villages of Burin and Tell. A large-scale security operation is expected to begin in Nablus and across the West Bank, with authorities seeking to question everyone present during the confrontation.
Reinforcements were also deployed along Highway 60 to secure Melet’s funeral at Havat Gilad and prevent further escalation.
The shooting followed a series of incidents in recent days that have brought tensions across the West Bank close to a boiling point. Security officials said the recent violence, combined with the summer vacation, the traditional break at Jewish religious seminaries, the publication of Palestinian high school matriculation results and the election campaign, had created an especially volatile atmosphere.
Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth and West Bank Division commander Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller
(Photo: IDF)
Security officials say the West Bank has experienced a sustained escalation since the outset of the war with Iran in late February. They have identified what they describe as Iranian and Turkish efforts to direct attacks, the transfer of funds through Jordan to finance terrorist activity and the emergence of local and semi-military cells in Nablus and Jenin.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has therefore ordered additional forces deployed to the military’s West Bank division, drawing troops away from Gaza and Lebanon. The military currently has 24 battalions operating in the West Bank, including 10 reserve battalions.
The deployment comes as the military faces a growing security challenge amid a sharp rise in confrontations in an area containing dozens of unauthorized Israeli outposts and 126 agricultural farms. The government has also approved the establishment of 104 new settlements.
Security forces are continuing large-scale operations that officials say are intended to restore law and order, halt the wave of attacks and return calm to the West Bank.