An Israeli is shot dead in the occupied West Bank, and other Mideast developments

by · The Seattle Times

An Israeli was fatally shot in the occupied West Bank, while Israel’s military said it killed a man who attempted to ram his vehicle into troops elsewhere in the Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait condemned Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen a day after they fired a ballistic missile at the Saudi capital. And the head of the CIA has been in Egypt meeting with its president.

Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Sunday. Full coverage is available here.

An Israeli is shot dead in the West Bank

A 30-year-old Israeli man was killed near the Neve Tzuf settlement north of Ramallah, hours before the Yom Kippur holiday, widely considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.

Israel’s military said the suspected attacker opened fire from a vehicle and fled on foot. After a search by security forces, the military said the man, who was injured while fleeing, was detained at a hospital where he had sought care.

The Samaria regional council said the killed man, Netanel Shakron, was a settler who had been bathing at a spring ahead of Yom Kippur.

It was the second time an Israeli civilian had been killed in a confrontation with a Palestinian this year in the West Bank, according to the U.N.

Separately, the military said it killed a Palestinian man who attempted to carry out a ramming attack against soldiers at an intersection near Jenin in the northern West Bank, less than an hour later. The military said it was searching for another man who was in the car.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement called the attacks “despicable” and instructed the military to expand operations in the West Bank.

Tensions have surged in the West Bank, and extremist Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians have increased exponentially, emboldened by right-wing, ultra-nationalist politicians in Israel’s government. Earlier Sunday, Israeli troops carried out a large counterterrorism operation in the northern West Bank town of Al-Mughayyir. Palestinian officials said at least 28 people were detained.

Arab and Muslim nations condemn Houthi attack on Riyadh

Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait said the Houthi attack on the Saudi capital was a threat to regional security and a violation of international law. In separate statements, they said their governments stand with Saudi Arabia. The Muslim World League also condemned the attack.

It was the first time the Saudi capital has been targeted since the escalation in fighting with the Iran-backed rebels opened a new front in the Iran war. Saudi Arabia said the attack was intercepted. There were no reports of casualties or damage.

CIA chief visits Egypt and meets with its president

Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe was in Egypt meeting with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the president’s office said.

The statement said el-Sissi expressed support for a deal to resolve the Iranian crisis and ensure the freedom of shipping navigation. He also rejected any aggression against Arab countries. Last week, Egypt’s president hosted Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, who was seeking support against attacks by neighboring Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

El-Sissi also urged for the full implementation of the second phase of the U.S. ceasefire plan for Gaza. Egypt has been a key mediator and borders the Palestinian territory.

Iran closes a French language center in Tehran

Iranian authorities said they closed a French language center affiliated with the French Embassy in Tehran, accusing it of operating without a license and engaging in activities against national security.

The Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency said the Tehran prosecutor’s office ordered the closure after repeated warnings. It alleged the center used language courses as a cover for projects including identifying and networking with Iranian elites and facilitating their departure from the country. It offered no evidence.

There was no immediate embassy comment.

6 French nationals on trial in Iraq over alleged IS ties

Six French nationals in Iraq suspected of being members of the extremist Islamic State group have stood trial, Iraqi judicial and security officials told The Associated Press.

The officials, who said it could take several proceedings before a verdict is issued, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media.

The six are among 47 French nationals held in Iraq who were among thousands of people with suspected IS links and who were repatriated from neighboring Syria early this year.

— By Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad

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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.