The policeman who shot and killed 22-year-old Kfar Kana resident Kahair Hamdan on Shabbos explains to investigators that he was aiming for the suspect’s hand that was holding a knife, not his torso.

The shooting death was used as another excuse by the Israeli Arab community to declare Sunday a general strike and engage in widespread rioting and violence. The shooting incident is being probed by the Justice Minister Internal Investigations Department.

Police Chief Yochanan Danino announced he stands behind his men and for as long as there is no proof showing the Yassam officer acted incorrectly, he is presumed innocent. The video footage of the incident reviewed to date only details portions of the incident. Police are also conducting ballistic checks on the weapons of the policemen present to determine which one of them fired the fatal shot. Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein’s Office is also involved in the investigation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)