Drama in south Mount Hebron: Truck driver shoots Palestinians who he claims tried to rob him. Police say driver beaten by Palestinians, lightly injured

A tow truck driver from Ashkelon shot to death two Palestinians on Sunday which he claims had tried to rob him in the south Mount Hebron area. Another Palestinian was injured in the incident.

Sources at the Shai District police said that the driver, in his 30s, was beaten by the Palestinians with a Swedish wrench and was lightly injured. Despite his injury, the driver shot at the suspects who were killed as a result. The Palestinians´ bodies were taken to a Palestinian hospital in Hebron.

Security forces canvassed the area and launched an investigation into the incident. The driver sustained head and neck wounds and was taken to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba.

Palestinian sources identified the victims as Naim Nijar, 34, who was shot in his head and neck, and Anwar Abed Rabbo, 35, who was shot in his chest. The sources said there may be other wounded Palestinians.

An initial IDF inquiry indicated that the Palestinians had likely tried to rob the truck driver. Large IDF forces arrived at the scene to examine whether the incident could have resulted in a kidnapping.

Last month, Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen said that the past year has seen a rise in terrorist attacks carried out with non-firearm means.

He noted that 50% of West Bank terror is carried out by Hamas and that out of 28 foiled terror plots, at least 18 were organized by Hamas.

The Shin Bet chief noted that only a few of the Shalit deal detainees resumed their terrorist activity after their release, and that 2,000 terrorists were arrested in the past year. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 06/17/12)