Mentally disabled Palestinian shot, injured by IOF in Nablus

A Palestinian, who locals said is mentally disabled, was shot and injured after allegedly attempting to stab Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank district of Nablus on Friday afternoon.

Israeli media sources claimed that a Palestinian man tried to carry out a stabbing attempt at Awarta checkpoint at the entrance to the city of Nablus, before being “neutralized”.

No Israelis were injured in the alleged stabbing attack.

According to the PIC reporter, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) refused to allow Palestinian ambulance crews to transfer him to hospital despite his serious injuries.

Local sources identified the injured man as Khaled al-Qadhi, 26.

The sources added that al-Qadhi had been detained by the IOF on several occasions in the past, before being released after they determined that he was mentally disabled.

Israeli forces were deployed around Nablus and closed several checkpoints in the area.

Two unidentified young men were also arrested at Awarta checkpoint and taken handcuffed to an Israeli detention center.

More than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers since the outbreak of Jerusalem Intifada in October 2015.