Attempted Stabbing Attack in Gush Etzion Prevented; Terrorist Shot and Wounded

A Palestinian wannabe terrorist was shot and critically wounded on Sunday after he attempted to stab IDF soldiers in Gush Etzion, the IDF said.

The incident took place at the Gush Etzion Junction and ended with no injuries to Israeli troops or civilians, b’chasdei Shamayim.

Video surveillance shows an IDF troop standing near a Gush Etzion bus stop when the suspect, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, begins to slowly approach the soldier.

About ten feet away from reaching the soldier, who had his back turned in the opposite direction, the suspect appears to pull a weapon from his waistband and begins charging at the soldier.

At that moment, the soldier turns around and appears to realize the imminent danger. Calmly raising his firearm, the soldier shoots the suspect who falls swiftly to the ground.

“I was standing near the bus stop with civilians around me and saw the suspect walking on the road. He began running towards me and the civilians and when I saw he pulled out a knife I shot him,” the soldier said.

The IDF said they have currently opened an investigation into the incident and probing for a motive for the thwarted attack.

Last Tuesday a Palestinian terrorist was shot dead in a similar incident near Ariel, after he tried to stab IDF troops.