Qalandia. Israeli police shot dead two Palestinians who approached a checkpoint between east Jerusalem and the West Bank on Wednesday, one of them brandishing a knife, a spokeswoman said, AFP reported.
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In contrary to the Israeli allegation that Maram “carried a knife”, and the second allegation of “carrying an explosive”, eyewitnesses said the two victims walked the wrong route while heading to the Qalandia terminal, as they took the route that is only used for vehicles, instead of the pedestrian path. The woman was holding a knife. When they were ordered to stop, the woman pulled a knife out of her bag and waved it at an officer near her, the police statement said.
“The officers and security guards worked quickly and shot at the terrorists, neutralizing them”, a spokesperson said. Apparently the two had been en route to Jerusalem for a medical appointment. A wave of tension has been ongoing between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank, which has so far killed 204 Palestinians and 34 Israelis.
Samri said Israeli police have been out in full force for the week of Passover, especially in Jerusalem and the seam line areas between Israel and the West Bank.
Last week, a Palestinian from a well-to-do family near Bethlehem blew himself up on a Jerusalem city bus, injuring 20 Israelis.
The two were tens of meters away from the soldiers, and contrary to military allegations, did not attempt to attack any soldier or officer. “It is nothing new”.
They denied the separation may have driven the woman to confront Israeli soldiers.
In the past six months, Israeli forces have killed at least 193 Palestinians, 130 of whom Israel said were assailants. About 29 Israelis and four foreign nationals, including two Americans, have been killed in the attacks.
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Many Palestinian bystanders shared images on social media of the killed pair’s bodies laying on the ground in the auto lane of the checkpoint, and later being loaded into an Israeli ambulance under a white drape.
