Israeli security officials arrested an Israeli resident of the West Bank on Wednesday morning who is suspected of having violently attacked Palestinians seen in footage wearing an IDF uniform and equipped with operational gear.
The suspect is a man in his 20s and a member of the local security team in his hometown in the West Bank who allegedly participated in violent clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank town of Huwara in early June. Several of the Palestinians subsequently required hospitalization, according to police.
The arrest was the result of a joint operation with Israel Police, Border Police, and the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency).
Army Radio also reported that some of the settlers involved in the incident were masked and that several Palestinians were injured, claims that were later denied by the IDF.
Security officials open investigation into footage of uniformed soldiers attacking Palestinians
At the time, the military said that the Judea and Samaria District Police had opened an investigation into the clashes in Huwara, specifically regarding footage of uniformed IDF soldiers participating in the violence.
The clashes included incidents of stone throwing and the use of clubs between Israeli civilians and Palestinians, according to the IDF. Police on Wednesday further claimed that an attacker in IDF uniform was equipped with a military-issued M-16 rifle and a pistol, although there are no reports of shots having been fired at the scene.
"The investigation concerns suspected criminal offenses allegedly committed by the suspect and is being conducted by the inter-agency task force of the Judea and Samaria District responsible for investigating and preventing incidents of extremist violence," police added
According to police, one indictment has already been issued.
"The case is being investigated. If the soldier is found, he will be dealt with disciplinary action, and command and disciplinary measures will be taken in accordance with the findings," the military said in June.
Suspect evades arrest despite early police identification, indictment
During the initial stages of the investigation, several suspects were arrested, and investigators were able to identify one of the uniformed Israelis seen in the footage of the attack and file an indictment against him.
However, he managed to evade arrest for several weeks until his arrest on Wednesday morning. The weapons in his possession were seized during his arrest, and police are expected to request an extension of his detention for the duration of the investigation into his case.