3 Israeli soldiers injured in West Bank shooting attack

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Three Israeli soldiers were injured Monday evening in an alleged shooting attack by a Palestinian man at an army checkpoint near the city of Al-Bira in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to Israeli sources.

"Ambulance crews treated the three [injured] Israeli soldiers before taking them to the nearby Hadassah Hospital," Israel’s official Magen David emergency service said in a statement.

"One of the soldiers was severely injured while the other two suffered minor injuries," it added.

The Israeli army, for its part, said in a statement: "The Palestinian gunman arrived at an IDF [Israeli Defense Forces] checkpoint at the entrance to Ramallah and opened fire at forces at the scene, injuring three soldiers."

"In response to the immediate threat, [army] forces shot the assailant," it added.

According to Palestinian media reports, the shooter -- identified as Mohammed Turkman -- was shot dead at the scene.

More than 242 Palestinians have been killed since an uptick in Israeli-Palestinian violence began in October of last year, according to Palestinian figures.

Israel, for its part, says 42 Israelis have been killed over the same period in attacks by Palestinians.