An active-duty IDF reservist was among the 10 Israelis who illegally entered the Palestinian Authority city of Qalqilya in an attempt to recover a motorcycle that had allegedly been stolen from Elad, according to Hebrew media reports.

During the police investigation, officers reportedly discovered knives and clubs inside the four vehicles used by the group. Authorities also seized an IDF-issued M16 rifle that was in the possession of one of the suspects, an active reservist. The incident has been referred to the IDF Military Police for investigation.

Nine of the suspects were released under restrictive conditions, including being barred from entering Yehudah and Shomron. A tenth suspect is expected to appear before a court for a hearing on the police request to extend his detention.

The incident began after security forces received reports of a disturbance involving four Israeli vehicles inside Qalqilya, which is located in Area A under full Palestinian Authority control. Large forces from the IDF and Border Police were dispatched to the scene.

According to the initial investigation, the group entered the city in an effort to locate a motorcycle that had been stolen in Elad the previous day and was believed to have been taken to Qalqilya.

Once local residents realized the group was Israeli, dozens reportedly gathered around the vehicles, surrounding them until Israeli security forces entered the city and extracted the group safely.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)