WEST BANK, Occupied Palestinian Territory — Tensions in the West Bank escalated further after an Israeli military reservist deliberately ran over a Palestinian man while he was praying by the roadside, in an incident that has sparked outrage among local communities and human rights groups. The attack took place near the village of Deir Jarir, north of Ramallah, and has drawn international condemnation amid ongoing violence in the region.
According to local sources and video evidence verified by international media, the Palestinian man was kneeling in prayer when the off-road vehicle struck him. The footage shows the reservist, armed and in civilian clothing, targeting the man directly, underlining the alarming security situation for civilians in the area. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and was reported to have no life-threatening injuries, allowing him to return home after medical evaluation.
The Israeli military described the incident as a severe violation of military authority, announcing that the reservist’s service had been terminated, his weapon confiscated, and that he had been placed under house arrest pending investigation. Despite these measures, the attack has intensified concerns over settler violence and the sense of impunity that often accompanies such actions in occupied territories.
Human rights organizations have expressed deep concern over the rising number of attacks on Palestinians in 2025, noting that over 750 individuals have already been injured in settler-related incidents this year alone. United Nations data highlights that between October 2023 and October 2025, more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank during clashes, operations, and other violent episodes, reflecting the severe humanitarian impact of ongoing tensions.
The incident comes amid a year marked by heightened violence and instability, with international observers warning that continued attacks against civilians could further destabilize the region. Local residents have called for stricter accountability measures, emphasizing that such acts of aggression threaten not only individual safety but also broader efforts to maintain peace and order in the occupied territories.
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