The 2023 Tunnels Checkpoint shooting was a shooting attack that occurred on November 16, 2023, at the Tunnels Checkpoint on Highway 60, near Jerusalem. The attack was carried by three Palestinian militants who opened fire at Israeli security forces and civilians, resulting in the death of one Israeli soldier and the injury of five additional People.[1] Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Background

The Tunnels Checkpoint is a major crossing point between Jerusalem and the West Bank, serving as a critical security checkpoint for Israeli authorities. The attack took place amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Palestinian factions, particularly during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023.

Attack

At approximately 9:00 AM, three gunmen arrived at the Tunnels Checkpoint in a vehicle with fake Israeli license plates. Upon reaching the checkpoint, they opened fire with two handguns and an M16 rifle, targeting Israeli forces stationed in the checkpoint.

Israeli security personnel which included Border Police officers, IDF soldiers, Israeli police officers, and civilian security guards immediately responded, engaging the assailants in a firefight. During the exchange, Corporal Avraham Fetena, a 20-year-old soldier from the Military Police Corps, was critically wounded and later died from his injuries.[2] Five other individuals, including security personnel and civilians, sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate.[3]

All three attackers were killed in the firefight.[4]

Perpetrators

The Israeli police found two M16 rifles, two pistols, about 10 loaded magazines, hundreds of additional bullets, and two axes.[1] In addition, the police found in the car uniforms that resembled the IDF uniform.[1] Due to the large amount of weapons that were found, the Israeli Police suspected that the three had planned a much larger-scale attack.[1]

The attackers involved in the shooting at the Tunnels Checkpoint on November 16, 2023, were identified as:[5]

  • Abd al-Qader Qawasmeh, 26 years old
  • Hassan Ma'moun Qafisheh, 28 years old
  • Naser Abd al-Afo Qawasmeh, 18 years old

Demolition of Attackers' Homes

The attack led to a IDF raid in Hebron that took place during the night of November 16–17. during the raid Israeli forces mapped the homes of the three attackers for potential demolition, as part of Israel policy to demolish the homes of those involved in attacks against Israeli citizens.[6]

On February 8, 2024, the IDF demolished the home of Hassan Ma'moun Qafisheh.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Soldier killed, 5 wounded in attack by gunmen at West Bank checkpoint near Jerusalem". Times of Israel. November 16, 2023.
  2. ^ "Corporal Avraham Fetena killed in Jerusalem shooting attack". Israel National News. November 16, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  3. ^ "One Israeli killed, five wounded in terror shooting near Jerusalem". jns. 2023-11-16.
  4. ^ "Israeli forces kill three Palestinian gunmen who killed soldier". Reuters. November 16, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  5. ^ "سلالة من الشهداء والأسرى من منفذي الهجوم على حاجز النفق" (in Arabic). Al Jazeera. November 19, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  6. ^ "IDF says it killed 5 gunmen during overnight Jenin counter-terror operation". The Times of Israel. 2023-11-17.
  7. ^ "IDF demolishes Hebron home of Hamas terrorist involved in deadly West Bank attack". Times of Israel. February 8, 2024.
  8. ^ "ضمن سياسة العقاب الجماعي: الاحتلال يفجر مسكن عائلة الشهيد قفيشة في مدينة الخليل" (in Arabic). Land Research Center. 2024-02-08.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Tunnels_Checkpoint_shooting
No tags for this post.