Israeli soldiers shot Palestinian who allegedly charged at them with a knife near a West Bank checkpoint
A Palestinian was shot dead on Sunday after he allegedly attempted to stab Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, the Israeli military said in a statement.
“An assailant armed with a knife exited his vehicle and charged soldiers at the entrance to Nablus. Forces thwarted the attempted stabbing attack and shot the assailant, resulting in his death,” the statement said.
The Palestinian health ministry confirmed in a statement that Rami Awartani, 31, was shot dead by Israeli forces near the Huwwara checkpoint, south of Nablus city.
Israel sources claimed that Awartani had tried to stab soldiers at the roadblock prompting them to open fire and kill him on the spot. They said that Awartani arrived in a car near the roadblock then got out of it and brandished a knife before heading to the soldiers at the barrier prompting them to shoot him, adding that no injuries were reported among the soldiers.
However, eyewitnesses said that the Israeli soldiers fired at the youth after forcing him out of his car killing him instantly. The roadblock was then closed before traffic in both directions.
Since Oct. 1, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces or during alleged stabbing attacks while 38 Israelis or foreigners have been killed in such attacks.
