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Three Israelis were wounded in a shooting attack after entering the West Bank city of Nablus en route to Joseph’s Tomb, a site that remains a focal point of tension in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to Israeli media reports on Wednesday morning, the incident took place when the three individuals entered Nablus without prior coordination with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), violating security protocols.
The group of Israelis was reportedly traveling to Joseph’s Tomb, a sacred site for Jews, which is located within the Palestinian-controlled Area A of Nablus.
This area is considered dangerous and off-limits to Israeli citizens under Israeli law without coordination with security forces, given the risk of potential violence and the high security measures in place.
After being shot at by Palestinians, the three Israelis managed to drive to a military barrier where they informed soldiers of the attack.
The wounded individuals then drove themselves to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. While their exact injuries were not immediately specified, it was reported that the three sustained gunshot wounds.
The IDF confirmed the incident, stating that it had received a report of a shooting involving an Israeli vehicle that had entered Nablus illegally, breaching a military barrier in the process.
The military indicated that the event was under investigation, and further details would be revealed as inquiries continued. The military emphasized the critical nature of following proper coordination procedures when entering areas under Palestinian Authority control.
“The entry into Area A is dangerous and prohibited for Israelis by law,” a statement from the IDF read. The military also noted that the individuals had been questioned by police following the shooting.
Israeli officials and security experts have consistently warned against traveling to or entering Palestinian-controlled areas without coordination, particularly around sensitive sites like Joseph’s Tomb.
Yossi Dagan, the head of the West Bank Regional Council, condemned the actions of the group and reiterated the importance of adherence to security protocols.
In a statement made later on Wednesday, Dagan was quoted by Israel’s public broadcaster KAN urging rabbis in the West Bank to discourage such unauthorized visits, emphasizing that “life must not be endangered” by disregarding established security procedures.
“No one is permitted to enter Joseph’s Tomb without coordination with the security forces. Anyone who does so is endangering lives,” he said.
The shooting underscores the ongoing tensions in the region, where clashes between Israeli and Palestinian forces are frequent, especially around sites with religious and historical significance.
Joseph’s Tomb, in particular, has been a flashpoint for violence, with incidents of unrest over the years as Jewish pilgrims attempt to visit the site.
While the IDF provides protection for coordinated visits, uncoordinated trips have been marked by heightened risks.
The military’s investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and authorities have called for a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the breach of security and the subsequent attack.