A dramatic incident unfolded Tuesday near the city of Modi’in when police officers’ attempt to stop a vehicle suspected of transporting illegal residents ended in gunfire and a manhunt. During the operation, the driver tried to run over one of the officers, who was forced to use his weapon to neutralize the immediate threat.
The incident began during routine activity by Modi’in station officers in the area of Shilat Junction. Officers spotted a vehicle that aroused their suspicion, and when they tried to stop it for inspection, the driver launched into a wild escape. According to the police report, the fleeing driver hit other vehicles, ignored officers’ orders, and endangered road users.
At one point, when one of the officers tried to block the vehicle’s path, the driver accelerated toward him in an attempted ramming. The officer, who felt his life was in immediate danger, fired at the vehicle. As a result of the shooting, the vehicle stopped a short distance away, but its occupants managed to escape, and large police forces launched extensive searches for them.
Israel Police emphasized that they view any attempt to harm officers or flee from law enforcement with severity. “We will continue to act decisively against traffic offenders and illegal residents, as part of a policy of sovereignty and governance,” the police statement said, clarifying that incidents in which human life is at risk will be handled with full severity.