An Israeli settler was killed in a shooting near Neveh Tzuf, north of Ramallah, on Sunday, September 20, as Israeli forces searched for the suspected gunman. The shooting happened shortly before Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism.
The victim was identified by Israeli regional authorities as Netanel Shukrun, a father of six. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken by helicopter to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva. Doctors later pronounced him dead.
According to initial reports, the shooting occurred near a spring where Israelis had gathered. Israeli authorities said the suspected attacker fled the scene after the shooting.
Suspect Arrested After Manhunt
Israeli security forces launched a large search operation following the attack. Soldiers established roadblocks and searched nearby areas with ground units, drones and other aerial resources.
The Israel Defense Forces later said its Duvdevan counterterrorism unit arrested the suspected shooter after intelligence from the Shin Bet and police helped locate him at a hospital in the Ramallah area. The military said the suspect had earlier been wounded by an Israeli soldier at the scene.
The suspect was expected to be transferred to Israeli security authorities for questioning, according to the military.
Israeli officials also announced additional security measures in the area. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the scene and said forces would investigate whether anyone had assisted the suspected attacker.
Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir React
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the shooting and described it as a serious attack. He also said Israel would pursue those involved.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the suspected attacker to face the death penalty under Israel’s recently approved legislation. His comments came before the investigation had reached its final conclusions.
The incident also drew attention because it occurred shortly before Yom Kippur.
Another West Bank Incident Reported
The Israeli military separately reported an attempted car-ramming attack against soldiers in the Ganim area near Jenin. The IDF said its troops killed the suspected attacker.
The Palestinian health ministry identified the man as Sami Zwaideh, 32, and said Israeli forces shot and killed him in the Jenin area. No Israeli soldiers were reported injured in that incident.
The two incidents came amid continued Israeli-Palestinian tensions in the West Bank.
More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements across the territory, alongside roughly three million Palestinians. Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank illegal under international law, while Israel disputes that legal position.
