An Israeli security guard was seriously wounded early on Monday in a suspected ramming attack at the Te'enim checkpoint in the West Bank.
The Israeli authorities said the 16-year old Palestinian who carried out the attack, was shot and later died in the hospital.
According to the Defense Ministry, the Palestinian youth drove at high speed into the checkpoint from the West Bank entrance and rammed his car into the guard post, seriously wounding a 34-year old security guard on duty. Other guards opened fire in the direction of the car, wounding the suspected terrorist.
The injured Israeli guard was being treated at Sheba Medical Center, in Tel Aviv, and was expected to survive, the ministry said in a statement.
"This is a serious incident," Defense Ministry Director General Amir Eshel said. "The guards at the checkpoint responded quickly and ended the attack within seconds," he said.
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Aftermath of car ramming attack on checkpoint to the West Bank
(Photo: Defense Ministry border security dept.)
The car-ramming followed what appears to be an uptick in terror attacks carried out by loan wolf attackers over the past few weeks, causing concerns for security officials.
On Saturday, a resident of the West Bank stabbed a Haredi man outside the Damascus Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem and attempted to stab police officers on the scene. He was shot and killed on site.
Reuters contributed to this report
First published: 07:30, 12.06.21