Archive · 20 Sep 2026
West Bank Violence Leaves Israeli Man and Palestinian Motorist Dead
Two deadly incidents happened in the West Bank on Sunday.
Police said a Palestinian gunman shot an Israeli man near Neve Tzuf.
The suspected shooter was later arrested at a hospital in Ramallah.
The Israeli military also said soldiers killed a Palestinian driver near Ganim.
The military said the driver was trying to hit the soldiers with his car.
No soldiers were hurt, but the account was not independently verified.
It is not known whether the two incidents were connected.
The violence happened just before the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.
A suspected Palestinian gunman shot and killed an Israeli man near the settlement of Neve Tzuf, police said.
Israeli forces arrested the suspected gunman several hours later at a hospital in Ramallah.
The Israeli military said soldiers killed a Palestinian driver who attempted to run them over near Ganim.
No soldiers were injured, but Reuters said it could not immediately verify the military’s account.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered increased security forces, arrests and offensive operations after the incidents.
- Who
- A suspected Palestinian gunman, an Israeli man, a Palestinian motorist and Israeli soldiers were involved; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded politically.
- What
- An Israeli man was shot dead, and Israeli soldiers reportedly killed a Palestinian driver accused of attempting a ramming attack.
- When
- The incidents occurred on Sunday, on the eve of Yom Kippur.
- Where
- The shootings took place near Neve Tzuf and Ganim in the occupied West Bank; the suspected gunman was arrested at a hospital in Ramallah.
- Why
- Police attributed the shooting to a suspected Palestinian gunman, while the military said the motorist was killed because he attempted to run over soldiers; whether the incidents were connected is unclear.
Israeli Security Account
Unverified and Palestinian Responses
Killing of the Palestinian motorist
Israeli Security Account
The Israeli military said the driver attempted to run over soldiers, prompting them to kill him, and reported that no soldiers were injured.
Unverified and Palestinian Responses
Reuters said it could not immediately verify the military’s account, and the article provides no independent explanation from the motorist or Palestinian officials.
Response to the shooting
Israeli Security Account
Israeli authorities treated the shooting as a security attack, arresting the suspected gunman and ordering additional forces, arrests and offensive operations.
Unverified and Palestinian Responses
Hamas praised the shooting but did not claim responsibility for it.
- Israeli shooting victim
- An Israeli man died after suffering critical gunshot wounds near Neve Tzuf.
- Suspected gunman
- Police said the suspected Palestinian gunman was arrested several hours later at a hospital in Ramallah.
- Palestinian motorist
- The Israeli military said soldiers killed a Palestinian driver near Ganim after an attempted ramming attack.
- Military casualties
- The military said no soldiers were injured.
- Verification
- Reuters said it could not immediately verify the military’s account of the alleged ramming attack.
- Political response
- Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security forces to increase deployments and conduct arrests and offensive activities.
- Hamas response
- Hamas praised the shooting but did not claim responsibility.
- Broader context
- The incidents occurred amid escalating violence in the West Bank since October 7, 2023.