Israeli soldier in stable condition after being shot near Joseph's Tomb
The soldier was taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva where he was listed in stable condition. The circumstances of the shooting were being investigated.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 11:10Tomb of Josef, Nablus(photo credit: MEIR ROTTER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)
A soldier was shot and wounded overnight Wednesday while guarding Jewish worshipers at Joseph's Tomb in Nablus.While on routine security for a coordinated visit of 16 buses the soldier was shot near Balata refugee camp.The soldier was taken to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva where he was listed in stable condition. The circumstances of the shooting were being investigated.The prayer went on as planned, however several instances disturbed the event, including stone throwers and Molotov cocktails.Also overnight, six wanted Hamas operatives were arrested in the West Bank. The suspects were taken in for questioning.Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, Joseph's tomb was to remain under Israeli control. The Israeli army evacuated the premises in October 2000 during the second intifada and it was burnt down by Palestinians.Jewish worshipers, in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces, make monthly nocturnal pilgrimages to the site, which was renovated and restored. The site was torched and vandalized in October 2015 and has since been restored.JTA contributed to this report.