IDF soldier wounded in suspected sniper attack near Hebron
19-year-old victim moderately hurt during shooting attack at the Cave of the Patriarchs.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: JANUARY 3, 2016 17:17Scene of shooting attack at the Cave of the Patriarchs
An unidentified gunman shot and moderately wounded a female IDF soldier at the Cave of the Patriarchs near the West Bank city of Hebron on Sunday.There were unconfirmed suspicions that the fire was carried out by a sniper from a nearby rooftop.Magen David Adom medical teams provided initial treatment to the 19-year-old victim before evacuating her to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.IDF forces were searching the area for suspects.The flashpoint West Bank site is a hotspot for violence and clashes.The Cave of the Patriarchs is the most ancient Jewish shrine in the world and the second holiest site of pilgrimage in Judaism, while also revered by Muslims. It is believed to be the burial place of the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and of the matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca and Leah.Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his condolences to the family of an Israeli who was stabbed by a terrorist in the West Bank near the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron earlier this month and who died of his wounds last week.Netanyahu stressed the historical connection to the site and said that Israel would not be moved from it.