IDF Soldier Opened Fire at Arab Stone Throwers Near Efrat

An IDF soldier, guarding at a pillbox position along Road 60 located near the northern entrance to Efrat, opened fire, on Wednesday evening. Initial reports state that the soldier fired in the air.

According to the IDF spokesperson, the soldier opened fire after Arabs began throwing stones at Israeli vehicles on the road.

Arab sources report that a number of Arabs were wounded, and one was killed.

The IDF stated that they will be investigating the incident.

UPDATE: The IDF released a statement Thursday afternoon that the soldier saw the suspect throwing stones at cars in the area. The soldier opened fire, the suspect was killed, and a second person was wounded.

The IDF is examining if what the soldier witnessed was a fight between Arabs that included throwing stones.

Otzma Yehudit candidate Itamar Ben-Gvir (United Right Party) said in response, "We have reached a situation in which a soldier can not defend Jews without an investigation being opened. The IDF Spokesperson's Office gives a reward for terror. Soldiers who see this announcement this morning and have to deal with a similar incident will be afraid to respond. A soldier who shoots at terrorists must receive a citation and not be sent to interrogation rooms, and the legalization that erodes the IDF's deterrent capability must be stopped now."

תיעוד מזירת הירי לעבר צה"ל, בה ככל הנראה נהרג פלסטיני ושניים נפצעו @OrHeller pic.twitter.com/mqjrhBzmmg

— החדשות 13 (@newsisrael13) March 20, 2019