Earlier reports of suspected kidnapping in northern West Bank were revealed to be a false alarm, Army Radio posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday night.
בהמשך לדיווח אודות חשד לאירוע חטיפה במרחב חטיבת שומרון, לאחר סריקות של כוחות רבים במרחב, נשלל החשד לאירוע חטיפה
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) August 26, 2024
Initially, the IDF said on Monday night that it was investigating a suspected kidnapping after a girl was seen screaming for help from inside a vehicle in the West Bank.
However, in a later post on X, Army Radio confirmed the vehicle was found and the occupants were questioned, revealing that the incident was a false alarm.
The vehicle was described as a dark silver car, according to N12. It was traveling through the Tapoach junction.
As part of the initial reports, the Samaria Regional Council spokesperson said that a civilian and soldier had witnessed the girl screaming for help. The driver was described as an Arab by the spokesperson, although this has not been confirmed.
The car had a Palestinian license plate, according to Maariv. However, the woman was heard screaming for help in Hebrew. The IDF said that it was investigating the report but it could not verify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
During the search, IDF forces blocked road to aid the search, putting up checkpoints between Maale Efraim and Migdalim.
Following riots
Following the reports of suspected kidnapping, settlers in the West Bank entered the Palestinian village Wadi Rahal in the Gush Etzion area, Army Radio posted on X on Monday night.
במקביל לסריקות בשומרון בעקבות דיווח על חטיפה: פורעים יהודים נכנסו לכפר הפלסטיני ואדי רחאל בגוש עציון, פלסטיני נהרג מירי שבוצע ע"פ החשד על ידי הפורעים • גורם ביטחוני: "האירוע מסיט כוחות וקשב"@Doron_Kadosh
— גלצ (@GLZRadio) August 26, 2024
One Plaestinian was killed by a gun shot believed to have been fired by one of the settlers.