The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have denied arresting any Palestinian from inside an ambulance.
The incident took place in Susiya, a Palestinian village in the southern West Bank, as dozens of Israeli settlers stormed the area. Susiya is featured in a documentary by Ballal, an activist group, the Center for Jewish Nonviolence, told the Associated Press. The group claimed that soldiers blindfolded Ballal and took him away.
“Ballal has since disappeared, and it is unclear whether he is receiving medical treatment or what his current situation is,” said Abraham.
A spokesperson for the IDF told POLITICO that the confrontation began when “several terrorists” threw rocks at Israeli citizens. This led to a violent clash involving “mutual rock-hurling between Palestinians and Israelis at the scene,” prompting the arrival of Israeli police and military forces.
“The forces apprehended three Palestinians suspected of throwing rocks at them, as well as an Israeli civilian involved in the confrontation,” the spokesperson said. “The detainees were taken for further questioning by the Israel Police. An Israeli citizen injured in the incident was evacuated for medical treatment.”
A video posted by Abraham on X showed masked assailants, some wielding sticks, running and throwing rocks in the dark. Another video appeared to show a masked individual shoving and hitting activists.
Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, condemned the incident. Expressing his “dismay” over reports that Ballal had been “lynched,” he urged for “maximum diplomatic and economic sanctions” against Israel in a post on X.
This article has been updated to include a statement from the IDF.
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