Two men, from Jerusalem and Modi’in Ilit, were injured and taken to Beilinson Hospital and Sheba Medical Center for treatment.
Palestinian gunmen shot at five people who entered the complex of Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus early Tuesday morning without coordinating with the IDF for protection. The five entered in a private car without permission.
IDF soldiers arrived on the scene, rescued the five and evacuated the wounded. Two of them, residents of Jerusalem and Modi’in Ilit, were injured and taken to Beilinson Hospital and Sheba Medical Center for treatment. One of the wounded was reportedly evacuated in a military helicopter. Public broadcaster Kan said that both were conscious and the other three uninjured Israelis were taken for questioning by the police, as entering Palestinian Authority territory is in violation of the law.
A security source told Kan that the group had been stopped on the way to the tomb. The men lied and told the police officers that they were going to an observation post nearby and were sent on their way.
The car in which the five entered was set on fire by the gunmen after the occupants abandoned it.
Statement from Samaria Regional Council head
“Once again, a barbaric terrorist attack from the Palestinian Authority, which instigates and supports terror,” head of the Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan said in a statement. “[The PA] is responsible for this barbaric attempted murder. We pray for the recovery of the wounded.
“On behalf of the rabbis of Samaria, I once again call [on Israelis] to enter Joseph’s Tomb for prayer only when it is coordinated and organized along with the IDF. Each month there are organized, coordinated opportunities to enter.
“Unfortunately, any unplanned entry puts lives in danger.”
Kan further reports that Dagan called on the IDF to “catch the terrorists and eradicate the murderers’ dens in Nablus.” He continued saying, “Only the IDF’s full control of Joseph’s Tomb will enable [us to] maintain the safety of worshippers in Nablus.”
“I am sending wishes of a speedy recovery to the victims of the shooting at Joseph’s Tomb and I thank the soldiers who rescued the civilians from the scene,” said Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
He added that the Israel’s security forces are doing all they can so that people can go to the tomb without being in danger and ended with a request that people keep to the rules for their own safety.
MK Orit Struk claimed that it doesn’t matter that the five Israelis hadn’t coordinated with the IDF.
“We need to make it clear to the PA that the entry of people into Joseph’s Tomb has to be safe otherwise the IDF will go back to permanently guarding the area,” she said.