Jewish settlers demonstrating yesterday in front of a house in Hebron that they evacuated from last week (EPA)

A Palestinian police officer shot Israeli soldiers at an Israeli army roadblock near the Beit El settlement in the West Bank which is used by important figures.

The occupying army said that the officer arrived at the roadblock known as the “Beit El” or “DCO” roadblock in a vehicle and got out before opening fire and wounding three soldiers. Two of the wounded are in a critical condition with injuries to the neck and thigh and the third soldier’s injuries are described as moderate.

The attacker who was killed instantly was identified as Amjad Sukkari, 29, and was part of the Palestinian police. The Israeli army said that “Forces in the area responded to the attack and opened fire on the attacker which led to his death”.

Sukkari may have previously planned the operation and wrote on Facebook “Every day we hear news of death. Forgive me, I may be next”. He also wrote “May your morning be victorious by the will of God, I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Prophet Muhammad is His slave and His messenger” shortly before the attack.

The attack came one day after the injury of an Israeli American settler who was injured in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem and four days after a settler was seriously injured in an attack that occurred in a West Bank settlement. These attacks confirm that individual operations are being carried out after the general calm that the popular uprising saw.