The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Thursday evening that a man captured on video ramming a vehicle into a Palestinian man while he was praying in the occupied West Bank is an Israeli reservist soldier. The incident occurred near the village of Deir Jarir, east of Ramallah, and has prompted a military investigation and disciplinary action.
In a statement translated and circulated by regional outlet SadaNews, the Israeli army said the reservist was wearing civilian clothing at the time and acted outside his authority. The military confirmed the soldier has been suspended from duty and that his weapon was confiscated pending the outcome of the investigation. Based on preliminary findings, the case is being referred to appropriate authorities.
According to the army, the same individual had earlier fired his weapon in a nearby village, an action that resulted in injuries to Palestinians. The military described the conduct as a serious violation and publicly condemned the incident, stating it “provokes violence” and contradicts the army’s stated values and rules of engagement.
The incident was independently reported by Reuters, which said the Israeli military received footage showing “an armed individual running over a Palestinian individual.” Reuters reported the reservist’s military service had been terminated and that Israeli media indicated he was being held under house arrest. Israeli police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Video aired on Palestinian television and verified by Reuters shows a man in civilian clothes with a firearm slung over his shoulder driving an off-road vehicle into a Palestinian man praying on the side of a road. The Palestinian man was taken to hospital for evaluation following the incident, but authorities said he was not seriously injured and has since returned home.
The episode comes amid heightened violence in the West Bank. United Nations data cited by Reuters indicates that 2025 has been among the most violent years on record for Israeli civilian attacks against Palestinians in the territory, with more than 750 Palestinians injured. Between October 7, 2023, and October 17, 2025, more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank, primarily during security operations and some incidents involving settler violence. In the same period, 57 Israelis were killed in Palestinian attacks, according to U.N. figures.
The Israeli military said the investigation remains ongoing and reiterated that soldiers—active or reserve—are required to operate within the law and military regulations.
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