"The IDF is not a militia": Squad commander course soldier arrested following shooting of Palestinian
The Military Police arrested a soldier in a squad commander course on suspicion of shooting a Palestinian in Faku'a in the West Bank, causing his injury. The incident occurred on Saturday during the security of a Jewish shepherd. A probe by the Judea and Samaria Division found that the soldier and the shepherd deviated from the permitted area, and during a confrontation with villagers, the soldier fired into the air and then at the leg of one of the Palestinians. The incident was transferred to the Military Police for investigation.
The Military Police arrested a soldier in a squad commander course on suspicion of disproportionate shooting at a Palestinian in Faku'a in the West Bank, causing his injury. The incident occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, during the security of a Jewish shepherd at the "Zait LaGilboa" agricultural farm in northern Samaria, near Jenin. A probe by the Judea and Samaria Division found that the soldier, a trainee in a squad commander course who had not previously served in the sector, and the shepherd deviated from the permitted grazing area. A group of several dozen residents of the village of Faku'a approached them and a confrontation began. The soldier called for reinforcements, fired into the air to disperse the Palestinians, and then was seen in videos shooting at the leg of one of the Palestinians, who was wounded. Following the probe, the incident was transferred to the Military Police for investigation, and the soldier was arrested on suspicion of disproportionate shooting. A military source was quoted as saying that the rules of engagement in the Judea and Samaria area allow firing in case of danger, but the use of weapons must be judicious and proportionate, emphasizing that "the IDF is not a militia."