The Border Police officer recorded throwing a stun grenade into a Palestinian vehicle told journalist Or Ravid (N12) that he and his colleagues were attacked with rocks moments before, and that he acted in self-defense. The officer's account comes amid ongoing public scrutiny of the incident.
The Border Police officer at the center of the Qalandia checkpoint stun grenade incident gave his version of events to journalist Or Ravid (N12) on Monday evening, claiming he and his colleagues were attacked with rocks and that the circulating footage is partial. The officer said he acted in self-defense, echoing his earlier statement to investigators that he chose a stun grenade as a non-lethal option.
The incident unfolded on Sunday, with The Zioneer reporting at 22:04 Jerusalem that the officer had been suspended and that Police Internal Affairs (Mahash) had opened an investigation. By that time, the officer had been questioned under caution, suspended for eight days, and barred from contacting involved parties. He told investigators that he identified a subject reaching for his pocket and chose a stun grenade to avoid live fire. Later Sunday, the officer's public claim of self-defense emerged.
The Zioneer has reported extensively on the public scrutiny surrounding the incident, which was captured on video and sparked debate over police use of force. The officer's arrest and the ongoing Mahash investigation were confirmed by police on Sunday.
The officer's account of being attacked with rocks has not been independently verified. The full context of the incident leading up to the stun grenade throw remains unclear, and the investigation continues.
15 developments
- StrongUpdate: Around 30 wounded in canopy collapse at Qalandia terrorist funeral
- DevelopingLebanon: Drone drops stun grenade near Israeli forces, apparently as warning
- DevelopingGrenade thrown at protesters on Highway 4
- StrongBen Gvir says he spoke with police commissioner, stun grenade use may be restricted or removed
Source and signal
- Internal intake