Eli, West Bank – September 7, 2024 – An attempted terror attack was thwarted early Saturday morning when a Palestinian driver deliberately accelerated his vehicle into an empty police car at a gas station near Eli in the northern West Bank, Israeli Police reported. The incident, which did not result in any injuries, is under investigation by Israeli authorities.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the ramming of the police vehicle was an attempt at a terror attack. According to the initial police report, the car rammed into the parked police vehicle at high speed. Fortunately, the police car was unoccupied at the time, and no personnel were harmed.
Following the incident, the Palestinian driver was arrested and is currently being questioned by the authorities. The motive behind the attempted attack is still under investigation.
The attack comes in the wake of a recent, fatal incident in the same region. In February 2024, a terror attack in Eli resulted in the deaths of two Israelis. The three perpetrators of that attack were subsequently killed by Israeli forces.
This latest attempt highlights ongoing tensions in the West Bank, where violence and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces continue to be a significant issue. Earlier this week, a separate shooting attack on Route 35 near Hebron further underscored the volatile situation in the region.
On Sunday, a shooting attack claimed the lives of three police officers: Ch.-Insp. Arik Ben Eliyahu, Senior-NCO Hadas Branch, and Adv.-St.-Sgt.-Maj. Roni Shakuri. The officers were killed during the attack outside Tarkumiya, with the assailant being killed by Israeli forces outside his home shortly after the incident.
The recent wave of violence and terror attacks in the West Bank continues to strain relations between Israeli and Palestinian communities. Israeli authorities remain on high alert as they respond to ongoing threats and work to maintain security in the region.
The IDF and Israeli Police have called for calm and urged both sides to seek dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling the current unrest. As the investigation into the latest attempted attack continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of all residents in the region and preventing further incidents of violence.