Israel: Checkpoint attacker ‘neutralized’

JERUSALEM — A 16-year-old Palestinian rammed a vehicle into an Israeli checkpoint in the West Bank overnight, wounding a security guard before being shot and “neutralized” at the scene, the Israeli Defense Ministry said Monday.

Israeli media reported that the attacker was killed, while a ministry official declined to comment. Defense Minister Benny Gantz praised the security forces’ response and wished a speedy recovery to the guard, who has been hospitalized.

The attack came two days after a Palestinian from the occupied West Bank stabbed an Israeli man just outside Jerusalem’s Old City and tried to stab a Border Police officer before being shot and killed. Video taken by bystanders showed the police continuing to shoot the attacker after he had dropped to the ground and preventing medics from approaching him.

The Israeli Justice Ministry said the two officers involved in Saturday’s shooting were brought in for questioning before being released without conditions. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other top officials have praised the officers’ response to the attack.