IDF soldiers thwart car-ramming attack in West Bank
IDF soldiers shoot dead Palestinian driver who tried to ram car into them
Israel Defense Forces soldiers on Friday thwarted a terror attack near the Halamish settlement in the West Bank, fatally shooting a Palestinian would-be assailant as he tried to run them over with his vehicle.
"A short while ago a report was received regarding an attempted car-ramming attack adjacent to the community of Halamish, north of Ramallah," read the statement from the military.
"An assailant attempted to run his car over IDF soldiers who operated in the area. In response, the troops fired and neutralized the assailant. No IDF injuries were reported."
Earlier this week Israeli security forces thwarted a stabbing in Jerusalem, shooting and gravely wounding a Palestinian assailant.
A string of so-called lone wolf attacks by Palestinians took place in 2015 and 2016, including stabbings and car-rammings.
Israeli officials say such attacks are difficult to prevent, with assailants typically working alone without significant pre-planning.