Nablus, Palestinian Territories. Four Palestinians and one Israeli were killed in a shooting incident in the occupied West Bank on Friday, according to Israeli and Palestinian health officials. Israeli and Palestinian authorities gave differing accounts of the events near the Palestinian city of Nablus.
Israeli military account
The Israeli military said it deployed southwest of Nablus after receiving reports of an attack on Israeli civilians who were hiking in the area.
It said a Palestinian took a weapon from local security personnel and fired at the Israeli civilians.
The military said it imposed a temporary closure on Nablus and the Tal area, set up roadblocks and pursued the assailants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would respond firmly, stating: “We will act with full force against the terrorists and those who orchestrate and sponsor them, and we will not allow terrorism in Judea and Samaria to regain a foothold,” using the Israeli term for the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian account
Palestinian officials said residents of Tal, a West Bank town, had been attacked by Israeli civilians. They said four Palestinians were shot dead and four others wounded by Israeli civilians and Israeli soldiers.
Essam Saifi, a local Fatah leader from Tal, told Reuters by telephone that about 25 to 30 Jewish settlers first attacked the eastern part of the town and attempted to enter two houses.
Residents came out to confront them, after which the settlers opened fire, Saifi said.
About half an hour later, the Israelis returned and attacked the western part of Tal, striking a minor with a weapon, he said. Saifi said the incident caused chaos before the Israeli military arrived and began firing alongside the settlers.
