Neve Tzuf Shooting: Israeli Killed as Suspect Is Arrested in Ramallah
Neve Tzuf shooting developments triggered a major security operation across parts of the occupied West Bank on Sunday, September 20, after an Israeli man was fatally shot near the settlement northwest of Ramallah and the suspected gunman was later detained at a hospital in the Palestinian city.
Israeli forces set up roadblocks and reinforced their presence around Ramallah during the manhunt, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered additional troops, arrests and security operations in the West Bank.
Neve Tzuf shooting: What happened?
According to the Israeli military and police, a Palestinian gunman opened fire from a vehicle toward Israelis gathered near a natural spring close to Neve Tzuf, also known as Halamish.
A man in his 30s was found critically wounded by gunfire inside his vehicle and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The Israeli military said the suspected shooter left his vehicle and fled on foot while still armed, prompting a large search involving soldiers, special forces and drones.
Suspect arrested at Ramallah hospital
Israeli authorities said the suspected gunman was located several hours later at a hospital in Ramallah and arrested.
The Associated Press reported that the suspect had been wounded while fleeing and sought medical treatment at the hospital before his detention.
Israeli troops had established roadblocks and restricted movement around several areas north and west of Ramallah while the search was underway.
Netanyahu orders reinforcements and arrests
Netanyahu said he instructed Israeli security agencies to reinforce their forces and carry out additional arrests and operations in the West Bank following the incident.
Earlier Sunday, Israeli troops also carried out a large operation in Al-Mughayyir. Palestinian officials cited by the Associated Press said at least 28 people were detained.
Separate fatal incident near Jenin
Less than an hour after the Neve Tzuf shooting, the Israeli military said its troops killed a Palestinian motorist near the site of the former Ganim settlement in the northern West Bank.
The military said the driver had attempted to ram Israeli soldiers and that no troops were wounded.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the Israeli military’s account of the alleged ramming attempt.
It was not immediately clear whether the two incidents were connected.
Hamas praises shooting but does not claim it
Hamas praised the shooting near Neve Tzuf but did not claim responsibility for carrying it out.
No other Palestinian group had publicly claimed responsibility at the time of publication.
The incident comes amid heightened violence in the occupied West Bank, including Israeli military raids, Palestinian attacks on Israelis and an increase in attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
Security pressure rises around Ramallah
The shooting and subsequent arrest came hours before the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur and prompted a broader security response around Ramallah and other parts of the West Bank.
Although the suspected shooter has been detained, attention is now turning to the scale and duration of the additional Israeli military operations and movement restrictions ordered in response.
Report Sources: Reuters, Associated Press.
