The attacker was captured by a security officer from a nearby Jewish
community. The knifer was identified as Mahmoud Al Khatib, a Palestinian
police officer from the West Bank village of Yabed. The PA has confirmed the
Israeli report.
This marked the first time in years that a PA security officer killed an
Israeli soldier. Al Khatib was said to belong to the ruling Fatah movement,
which has claimed responsibility for a spate of recent attacks in the West
Bank and Gaza Strip.
"The IDF Central Command notices a rise in motivation to execute terror
attacks throughout Judea and Samaria [West Bank]," the military said. "Since
the beginning of the year, over 20 knives and 12 explosive devices were
discovered by security forces in the Judea and Samaria."
Military sources said Al Khatib, whose home was later raided by Israeli
troops, acted alone in his attack on the Israeli soldier. They said Al
Khatib was reported to have been depressed and decided he would kill an
Israeli as his final act.
Critics asserted that the Fatah attacks were facilitated by Israel's
decision to remove roadblocks and expand the freedom of movement by PA
officers in the West Bank. They said the military has also come under
pressure by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to limit military operations
in the West Bank.
The PA has acknowledged that one of its security officers killed an
Israeli soldier. PA officials said the killing would not hamper a
U.S.-financed program to train PA security officers.
"Such an incident undermines national Palestinian objectives, and the PA
commitments," PA Prime Minister Salam Fayad said.