Israeli armed guard killed in West Bank settlement, suspect's home to be demolished

An armed Israeli guard succumbed to his wounds after he was attacked in the illegal settlement of Kedumim in the West Bank on Sunday, local media reported.

The attack was allegedly carried by a Palestinian suspect, who hit Gidon Peri on the head with a hammer. The Israeli man was later taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, where he as later pronounced dead.

The 38-year-old Peri was on duty in the industrial park, located in the settlement in the northern West Bank, at the time of the incident.

The Palestinian suspect also reportedly took away Peri’s handgun, before fleeing the scene by car then on foot, The Times of Israel reported, citing the Israeli army.

Army sources said the alleged perpetrator had a work permit to enter Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank, and worked in a factory in the industrial park.

The suspect was identified as Sultan Nadel Abdulaziz Abdul Ghani, according to The Jerusalem Post, and has yet to be apprehended. 

The settlement of Kedumim where the attack occurred, is located near the Palestinian village of Jit, where more than 100 settlers carried out a rampage last week, killing at least one Palestinian.

Several Palestinians were injured, including one critically. Settlers used tear gas, gun fire and Molotov cocktails to attack the village’s residents. The Israeli army were later called onto the scene, but failed to act accordingly, witnesses said.

Israeli settlers set buildings and vehicles ablaze in what was described as one of the worst settlers attacks on Palestinian people and their properties this year, and an act of "pure terrorism".

It remains unclear if Sunday’s attack was carried out in response to last week’s violent settler riots.

Israeli authorities will reportedly demolish the suspected perpetrator’s family home as a punishment for the attack, for which anyone is yet to be charged, the Palestinian Wafa news agency said. Israeli authorities frequently order the demolishment of homes belonging to Palestinians suspected of carrying out crimes, as a form of "punishment".

Palestinian media also reported that the army is imposing harsh military measures in the Qalqilya area for a second consecutive day, following the attack.

Tensions remain high in the West Bank following the outbreak of Israel’s deadly military offensive in Gaza since October 7, following an uptick in violent Israeli army and settler incidents against Palestinians.

At least 635 Palestinians have been killed in such attacks in the West Bank, with at least 5,400 wounded in the occupied territory.

Over 10,000 have also been arrested, including former prisoners, women and children.