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JERUSALEM – A Palestinian man from Jenin stole a vehicle inside Israel and crashed it into a checkpoint near a military base, wounding one person, before being apprehended, authorities said Tuesday morning.
The suspect, identified as a man in his 20s, was in Israel illegally, according to police. He had reportedly stolen the car from the Tel Aviv area before driving it towards the Tzrifin Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base, a major military installation located east of Rishon Lezion.
The incident unfolded when the driver crashed through a barrier at the checkpoint near the base, continued inside for several minutes, and then returned, striking a soldier, according to Israeli media reports. The soldier, who was injured in the collision, was taken to a hospital for treatment. His condition has not been disclosed.
Following the crash, the suspect fled the scene, prompting a police chase. Officers eventually located and arrested him in northern Ramle, a city southeast of Tel Aviv, after a short pursuit.
Authorities have not classified the incident as an attempted ramming attack or a terrorist act, but they confirmed that the suspect is a resident of Jenin who had entered Israel without a permit. The man is expected to appear in court later on Tuesday, where police will request an extension of his detention.
The incident has raised concerns about the increasing number of vehicle thefts in Israel, particularly cases in which stolen cars are transported to Palestinian-controlled areas.
According to the vehicle theft prevention firm Ituran, there has been an 11 percent rise in car thefts in Israel in 2024 compared to the previous year, with many of the stolen vehicles ending up in the West Bank.
The Tzrifin base has witnessed previous vehicle-related incidents in recent months. In July 2024, four IDF soldiers were wounded in a car-ramming attack at the nearby Nir Tzvi junction. In December 2023, a female soldier guarding the base sustained serious injuries in a traffic accident involving a car.
Security forces continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Tuesday’s incident and whether it was a deliberate act or an attempt to escape following the vehicle theft.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members