A Nachal Chareidi soldier on Erev Shabbos tells investigators that he carried out the required protocol when an Arab was running towards his position near Yishuv Ofra in the Shomron. The advancing threat, a 38-year-old PA resident, continued towards the position even after warning shots were fired in the air. Eventually, the Nachal Chareidi soldier fired at the threat, killing the man, who was later found to be unarmed.

The IDF spokesman unit released a statement on erev Shabbos confirming the incident, adding the soldier followed the protocol, first firing in the air and only then directing gunfire at the person’s lower extremities. An investigation is underway to make certain the soldier acted appropriately, especially after learning the person running towards the position was unarmed. In the PA the reports state an IDF soldier shot and killed an unarmed civilian.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)