Palestinian driver mows down IDF reservist near Hebron
Haaretz
Date: 04-25-05
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
An Israel Defense Forces reservist was killed late Monday night when a Palestinian taxi ran over him at a roadblock near Hebron. Other soldiers on duty shot and killed the driver.
It was not initially clear whether the Palestinian had driven into the soldier intentionally. There have been no Israeli deaths in the territories now for three months.
The incident took place close to 10 P.M., at the Halhoul bridge. An armored corps unit on reserve duty put up a surprise roadblock on the bridge, which is used by Palestinian traffic. (The road below the bridge is used by the settlers). The roadblock was set up after soldiers at the nearby "pillbox" position reported hearing shots. The soldiers' intention was to identify the men who had opened fire.
The reservists at the roadblock reported that the taxi was seen approaching, and a soldier stepped out to flag down the driver, who was alone, for inspection. At first the driver slowed, but suddenly put on speed and drove straight at the soldier, running him over and critically injuring him. The other soldiers then opened fire at the driver, who died instantly. An ambulance crew called to the site was unable to save the injured soldier.
The IDF has been on high alert in the vicinity of Hebron because thousands of Jews are expected to visit the Tomb of the Patriarchs Tuesday.
The IDF sent reinforcements to the area and together with the Shin Bet security force immediately began checking the background of the driver to establish whether it was likely that he had been involved in a terrorist act, as appeared from the incident. They are also investigating other possibilities, such as that the driver did not see the soldiers in the dark, or was trying to avoid being checked for other reasons.
The name of the slain soldier was not released pending notification of his family.
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