Israeli reservist rams vehicle into Palestinian man praying in West Bank

An Israeli reservist soldier deliberately rammed his vehicle into a Palestinian man as he prayed on a roadside in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, after earlier firing shots in the area, the Israeli military said. 

"Footage was received of an armed individual running over a Palestinian individual," it said in a statement, adding the individual was a reservist and his military service had been terminated.

Footage showed the Israeli reservist running over the Palestinian man in the village of Deir Jarir whilst driving an ATV, in the latest act of Israeli violence against Palestinians in the occupied territory.

The reservist, who was in civilian clothing, had a semi-automatic rifle slung over his shoulder during the incident.

The Palestinian man went to hospital for checks after the attack, but was unhurt and is now at home.

The reservist acted "in severe violation of his authority" and his weapon had been confiscated, the military said.

Israeli media reported that he will beheld under house arrest for at least five days.

The Israeli police did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Israeli authorities seldom punish Israelis accused of attacking and killing Palestinians in the occupied territory. The military also frequently allows settlers to storm Palestinian towns, villages, and religious sites. 

This year ​was one of the most violent on record for Israeli attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, according to United Nations data that shows more than 750 injuries.

More than a thousand Palestinians were killed in the West Bank between 7 October 2023 and 17 October 2025, mostly by security forces and some by settler violence, according to the UN.

The Israeli military has also carried out numerous military operations and near-daily raids in the West Bank, where they have killed scores and imposed severe restrictions, stifling Palestinian life.

Israeli violence in the West Bank has occurred in parallel with the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians since October two years ago.