JERUSALEM: A Palestinian rammed his vehicle into a group of people near a West Bank settlement on Thursday, killing an Israeli soldier and wounding another, the military said.
The military said the Palestinian was apprehended after the attack near the Ofra settlement. Rescue services said the slain Israeli soldier was 20 years old. The wounded soldier was evacuated to hospital for treatment.
Israeli media said the Israelis were standing near a bus stop at the time of the attack.
President Reuven Rivlin sent his “heartfelt condolences” to the family of the soldier who was killed. “We will never allow terror to weaken us. Israeli society is strong, and we must stand firm in defense of our state and our land,” he said in a statement.
Since September 2015, Palestinians have killed 42 Israelis and two visiting Americans, mainly in stabbing attacks.
Israeli forces have killed at least 242 Palestinians during the same period. Most of the slain Palestinians have been identified as attackers by Israeli authorities.
Israel says the bloodshed is fueled by a Palestinian campaign of incitement, compounded by social media sites glorifying attackers and encouraging violence. Palestinians say it stems from frustration over decades of Israeli rule in territory they claim for a state.
Rights groups have accused Israel of using excessive force in some of the confrontations.
Israeli military: Palestinian kills soldier in West Bank
Israeli military: Palestinian kills soldier in West Bank
Jordan begins implementing Royal directives to modernize Arab Army
- On Saturday, it was reported that King Abdullah had announced the strategy
AMMAN: Jordan’s Armed Forces have begun implementing royal directives from King Abdullah II aimed at restructuring and modernizing the Arab Army to strengthen its operational readiness and ability to meet evolving security challenges, it was announced on Sunday.
The overhaul is designed to sharpen combat capabilities and establish a streamlined, flexible force equipped to operate across varied environments, while adapting to the demands of modern and unconventional warfare, the Jordan News Agency reported.
The directives called for closer alignment between organizational structures and operational needs, alongside upgrades to command, control and communications systems.
They also urged stronger integration across military branches and units, as well as expanded use of advanced technologies, including unmanned systems and cyber capabilities.
Plans also include reinforcing reserve forces, improving logistics to ensure reliable supply chains, and supporting Jordan’s defense industries to enhance self-sufficiency and efficiency.
In a statement, the Jordanian Armed Forces said they were fully committed to carrying out the royal directives as part of a broader strategic vision to raise professionalism and preparedness.
On Saturday, it was reported that King Abdullah had announced a strategy “to achieve a structural transformation in the armed forces over the course of the next three years,” Petra said.
In a letter to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the King wrote: “Our Arab Army is a national institution that every Jordanian is proud of.”
“We must examine the requirements for modernizing and developing our Armed Forces, while restructuring them to keep pace with combat demands within various environments of operation,” the king wrote.
The king also said the army must have sufficient reserve forces reinforced with the necessary capabilities.
“Our Armed Forces must have sufficient reserve forces, equipped with the various needed capabilities to execute their operations efficiently.”
