Israeli police inspect the scene of a ramming attack on the Maccabim checkpoint, in the West Bank, near the Israeli city of Modiin, 31 August 2023. EFE-EPA/JAMAL AWAD

Israeli man dies after Palestinian rams his truck into crowd near West Bank checkpoint

Jerusalem, Aug 31 (EFE).- A Palestinian truck driver allegedly rammed his vehicle into a crowd near a West Bank checkpoint on Thursday, killing an Israeli man and wounding two others before the suspected attacker was shot dead.

Israeli police inspect the scene of a ramming attack on the Maccabim checkpoint, in the West Bank, near the Israeli city of Modiin, 31 August 2023. EFE-EPA/JAMAL AWAD STR / Jamal Awad

An Israeli police spokesperson told EFE that the truck driver, 41, a resident of the occupied West Bank, held a work permit in Israel.

Israeli police gather at the scene of a ramming attack on the Maccabim checkpoint, in the West Bank, near the Israeli city of Modiin, 31 August 2023. EFE-EPA/JAMAL AWAD

On Thursday morning, he arrived at the Maccabim military checkpoint from the Israeli side and ran over three people before fleeing.

An Israeli police walks at the scene of a ramming attack on the Maccabim checkpoint, in the West Bank, near the Israeli city of Modiin, 31 August 2023. EFE-EPA/JAMAL AWAD

Shortly after, said the spokesperson, security forces identified him at a nearby checkpoint and shot him dead.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said one of the wounded succumbed to his injuries.

“Sending my condolences to the family of the person killed in the ramming attack. I wish a full recovery to the injured. This is an attack with serious consequences,” Gallant wrote in a press release.

The incident happened near the Israeli city of Modiin, on a road that connects Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

It came after a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was allegedly killed on Wednesday night by Israeli gunfire in Jerusalem after stabbing and wounding a 22-year-old Israeli.

Israeli forces identified the minor as Khaled Samer al Zanin.

The Israeli police said an officer killed him after observing that he had stabbed a man at a Jerusalem tram station.

On Wednesday, an Israeli soldier sustained mild injuries in an alleged attack near Hebron city in the occupied West Bank.

The suspected attacker suffered wounds by gunfire from Israeli troops before being arrested.

Meanwhile, four Israeli soldiers were injured Thursday morning in an explosion during clashes with Palestinians in Nablus city, north of the West Bank. At least four Palestinians suffered injuries during the clashes.

Tension and clashes between Palestinians and Israelis have escalated significantly this year, especially in the West Bank.

So far this year, 187 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank or on Israeli territory.

The deceased include 35 minors.

On the Israeli side, alleged Palestinian attacks have killed 32. EFE

pd-ssk