Palestinian shot, injured for alleged stabbing attack near Al Khalil

A Palestinian young man was moderately injured after being shot by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Wednesday afternoon over an alleged stabbing attack near the illegal Gush Etzion settlement bloc north of al-Khalil.

An Israeli soldier was pronounced dead during the alleged attack, while the Palestinian suspect suffered moderate injuries.

Israeli media sources said that the Israeli soldier was mistakenly shot by his colleagues during the incident before he succumbed to his wounds.

An Israeli army spokesperson identified the soldier as Eliav Gelman, 30. Palestinian sources, on the other hand, identified the injured Palestinian as Mamdouh Yousef Amr.

Israeli soldiers were seen in photos standing over the legs of the injured Palestinian to make sure he does not move.

Earlier Wednesday, Israeli sources declared the arrest of a Palestinian minor for allegedly trying to carry out a stabbing attack in Rahet city within the 48-occupied territories in early February. An Israeli settler was injured during the alleged attack.

More than 180 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers since October 1. Israel says the majority were shot dead while attempting to carry out attacks, although international rights groups have disputed Israel’s version of events in several cases.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said last month it was “human nature for Palestinians to react violently to Israel’s nearly 50-year military occupation”, as he urged a change in Israeli policy in the occupied Palestinian territories.