Israeli Reservist Rams Vehicle Into Palestinian Man Praying In West Bank
JERUSALEM, Dec 26 (Reuters) – An Israeli reservist rammed his vehicle into a Palestinian man praying on the side of a road in the occupied West Bank on Thursday after the area was previously fired upon, the Israeli military said.
In the statement, it was stated that “Footage was obtained of an armed person running over a Palestinian person” and that the person was a reserve soldier and his military service was terminated.
The military said the reservist acted in “serious violation of his authority” and his weapon was seized.
Israeli media reported that he was under house arrest.
Israeli police did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Zain Jaafar/AFP via Getty Images
The Palestinian man went to the hospital for checks after the attack, but he escaped unhurt and is now at home.
In the video broadcast on Palestinian television and verified by Reuters, a man in civilian clothes carrying a gun on his shoulder is seen driving his all-terrain vehicle towards a man praying on the side of the road.
This year was one of the most violent Israeli attacks in history on civilians against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to United Nations data showing more than 750 injuries.
According to the UN, more than a thousand Palestinians were killed in the West Bank between October 7, 2023 and October 17, 2025, mostly in security forces operations, some by settler violence. During the same period, 57 Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks.
A Palestinian gunman killed two people in northern Israel on Friday, police said.
(Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
