Palestinian Shot Dead, 3 Israeli Soldiers Injured in Shooting Attack

Amjad Jaser Sukkar, a 34 year old father of four who was shot dead after shooting and injuring three Israeli soldiers .(MaanImages)

Betlehem, 22 Rabiul Akhir 1437/1 February 2016 (MINA) – A Palestinian was shot dead after shooting and injuring three Israeli soldiers at an Israeli military checkpoint around the illegal Israeli settlement of Beit El in the central occupied West Bank district of Ramallah, witnesses told Ma’an.

Witnesses said a Palestinian vehicle approached the Israeli checkpoint and stopped for inspection. When an Israeli soldier approached the driver’s window, the driver opened fire, immediately shooting the soldier.

The driver then shot another two Israeli soldiers, one of which witnesses believed was hit in his flak jacket. Israeli forces then opened fire, shooting the Palestinian driver dead.

Of the three injured, two are in severe condition, while one was mildly injured, a spokesperson with Israel’s emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, said.

The Palestinian driver was latter identified as Amjad Jaser Sukkar, 34, a Palestinian Authority staff sergeant from Nablus. Hours after the shooting, his body was returned to PA forces and is expected to be buried later that day, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) reported, quoting Ma’an news.

The Hamas movement issued a statement on Sunday evening hailing Sukkar’s “heroic resistance operation.”

“This attack showcases the rejection of security coordination with the occupation, even among members of the PA security forces,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri was quoted as saying. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)