Former Palestinian officer opens fire on Israeli troops, is shot dead

Gunman was shot by authorities after he attempted to fire at soldiers who came to arrest him during an overnight raid connected to previous shooting.

By ANNA AHRONHEIM
Updated: JULY 17, 2017 01:11
Weapon used by Palestinian gunman in shootout with Israeli security forces (photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
Weapon used by Palestinian gunman in shootout with Israeli security forces
(photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
A Palestinian gunman who was killed by Israeli security forces in an overnight raid in the West Bank was a former member of the Palestinian security forces turned arms dealer, the Shin Bet said on Sunday.
Identified as 34-year-old Ahmad Halil of Nabi Salih, northwest of Ramallah, he was shot by authorities after he attempted to fire at soldiers who came to arrest him during an overnight raid on suspicion that he was responsible for opening fire close to two West Bank communities on Saturday.
Another man who was with Halil at the time of the arrest was detained by security forces in connection with the attacks.
According to the Shin Bet, Halil carried out the two attacks together with his fiancée, Rawan Ambar, because their families did not approve of their engagement. Ambar was detained by Palestinian security forces after surrendering herself to authorities.
A Palestinian man was lightly injured Saturday morning after Halil shot at his vehicle on a West Bank road north of Ramallah. The man, from the village of Beitin, was injured by shrapnel and treated by security forces at the scene. The vehicle also sustained damage.
Also on Saturday, Halil opened fire on an IDF post near Nabi Salih, causing no injuries but sparking a manhunt.
“The Shin Bet, together with its partners in the Israel Police and the IDF, will continue to act decisively to thwart terrorism wherever it may be and to quickly uncover serious attacks against Israeli civilians and security forces,” the agency said in a statement.