According to a report by The Times of Israel on Saturday, March 7, 2026, The Israel Defense Forces Military Police has launched an investigation into the killing of a Palestinian by a reservist soldier in the southern West Bank earlier today, the military said.
Palestinian media reported that a young man was killed and his brother was critically wounded by gunfire allegedly carried out by Israeli individuals during the incident. Local medical and security sources in the area said emergency teams were dispatched following reports of gunfire in the region.
According to the IDF, troops and police officers were deployed to a Palestinian village in the Masafer Yatta region after receiving reports of a violent confrontation between Israeli civilians and several Palestinians. The military said several individuals were injured during the confrontation prior to the arrival of security forces.
The IDF stated that a preliminary investigation indicated a reservist soldier who arrived at the scene following the report of violence opened fire during the incident. Military officials said, “It is known that two Palestinians were hit by gunfire, and later one of them died of his wounds.”
The military did not release the identity of the soldier or the names of the Palestinians involved. Officials said the circumstances surrounding the shooting are under continued investigation by military and civilian authorities.
The IDF said its Military Police had opened a formal investigation into the incident, and the findings would be submitted to the Military Advocate General Corps for legal review and further decisions regarding possible charges or disciplinary measures.
Separately, the Israel Police also launched an independent investigation and collected evidence from the scene of the confrontation. Police investigators said they gathered witness testimony and physical evidence as part of their inquiry into the events that led to the shooting.
Tensions have been reported in the area following the incident, with local Palestinian community representatives calling for international attention to the investigation. Israeli security officials said forces would remain deployed in the region to maintain order and monitor for potential further unrest.See_More…