An Israeli army reservist deliberately drove his vehicle into a Palestinian man who was praying on a roadside in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military confirmed. The shocking incident, which was captured on video, occurred on Thursday, December 26, after the soldier had fired shots in the area.
Details of the Assault
The military stated it received footage showing "an armed individual running over a Palestinian individual." The assailant was identified as a reservist soldier who was in civilian clothing and had a rifle slung over his shoulder at the time of the attack. According to the statement, the soldier acted "in severe violation of his authority." His military service was immediately terminated, his weapon was confiscated, and Israeli media reported he was placed under house arrest.
Video verified by Reuters and aired on Palestinian television shows the off-road vehicle accelerating into the man as he kneels in prayer on the shoulder of the road. Fortunately, the Palestinian victim was not physically injured. He was taken to a hospital for examination as a precaution and has since returned home.
Broader Context of Rising Violence
This attack adds to a devastatingly violent period in the West Bank. According to United Nations data cited in the report, 2025 has been one of the most violent years on record for attacks by Israeli civilians against Palestinians in the territory, resulting in more than 750 injuries.
The UN also reports that between October 7, 2023, and October 17, 2025, more than a thousand Palestinians were killed in the West Bank. Most deaths occurred during operations by Israeli security forces, with some resulting from violence by Israeli settlers. In the same timeframe, 57 Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks.
Military Operations and Regional Tensions
The incident near Tulkarem comes as the Israeli military continues an operation it launched earlier in the year, aimed at rooting out Palestinian armed groups from refugee camps in the northern West Bank. The report referenced a photo from the Nur Shams camp, showing damaged homes from December 18, 2025.
In a separate event highlighting the ongoing tension, Israeli police reported that a Palestinian assailant killed two people in northern Israel on Friday, December 27. The Israeli police did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reservist's vehicular attack.
