In a disturbing incident in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, an Israeli reservist soldier intentionally drove his vehicle into a Palestinian man engaged in roadside prayers. The attack occurred after the soldier had previously discharged his weapon in the vicinity, according to official military statements.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed receiving footage showing ‘an armed individual running over a Palestinian individual.’ Military authorities characterized the reservist’s actions as constituting ‘a severe violation of his authority,’ resulting in immediate termination from service and confiscation of his weapon. Israeli media outlets reported the perpetrator is currently under house arrest pending further investigation.
Video evidence broadcast on Palestinian television and authenticated by Reuters depicts a civilian-clad individual with a shoulder-slung firearm operating an off-road vehicle that deliberately strikes the praying victim. The Palestinian man received medical evaluation at a local hospital but was ultimately determined to be uninjured and has since returned home.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating violence in the region. United Nations documentation reveals 2025 as one of the most violent years recorded regarding Israeli civilian attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, with over 750 documented injuries. Between October 7, 2023, and October 17, 2025, more than a thousand Palestinians lost their lives in the territory, predominantly during security operations with additional casualties resulting from settler violence. During this same timeframe, Palestinian attacks resulted in 57 Israeli fatalities.
The violence continued into Friday with separate incidents, including a Palestinian assailant killing two individuals in northern Israel, according to police reports. Israeli law enforcement authorities have not provided immediate commentary regarding the reservist incident when contacted by Reuters.