IDF soldier filmed hitting Palestinian in West Bank, military says it will investigate - report

An Israeli soldier was filmed striking a Palestinian man in the West Bank village of Idna on Saturday, prompting the military to announce an investigation into the incident. The footage, captured by Army Radio, shows the soldier pinning the Palestinian to the ground with his knee on the man's midsection.

According to Palestinian sources cited by Ynet, Israeli forces were called to the area after Israeli residents allegedly attacked Palestinians, smashed a car window, and surrounded people praying in a mosque. The IDF stated that soldiers were present because Israeli residents reported Palestinians throwing rocks at a shepherd.

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The IDF told Israeli media outlets that soldiers were in the area after Israeli residents reported Palestinians throwing rocks at an Israeli shepherd who had left one of his farms with his flock.

Two other civilians were also seen in the video assaulting the Palestinian man. This incident follows reports from earlier on Saturday where four Palestinians were wounded near Susya, with the Palestinian news agency Wafa claiming Israeli settlers beat Palestinians and fired shots into the air. Israeli sources did not confirm these claims, though the IDF is investigating.

The events unfold two weeks after the IDF significantly increased its West Bank deployment to 26 battalions, adding two units in response to a rise in Palestinian terrorist attacks and settler violence. This reinforcement was ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bolster troop presence, checkpoints, and counterterrorism operations.

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An IDF spokesperson said that the incident is under investigation.