After shooting of former US Marine in Huwara yesterday, IDF locks down the town

Following the shooting of former United States Marine David Stern in Huwara on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces enforced a lock down in the Palestinian town and the surrounding area. 

Stern, who was travelling through Huwara with his wife and children, was shot multiple times, including in the head. Despite his injuries, he managed to return fire at the terrorist, who dropped his weapon and fled the scene. 

An IDF soldier in the area also fired and hit the terrorist, as well. 

After an intense search of the surrounding area, security forces located and apprehended the terrorist, who was later identified as Laith Nadim Nassar, from the town of Madama, near Nablus. 

Pictures from the scene posted on social media, showed a car riddled with bullet holes. The IDF said that about 20 bullets were fired at the car at close range.

Horrifying. An Israeli family driving through Huwara came under gunfire from a Palestinian terrorist.

The father was seriously injured. His wife and young children were also in the car.

Just imagine this was your car.
This is the daily threat that Israelis face. pic.twitter.com/92xUGGmjm2

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) March 19, 2023

Magen David Adom paramedics treated Stern at the scene before transferring him to the Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva. Stern’s wife was treated for shock, but neither she nor their children were hit by gunfire. Doctors said Stern’s condition is moderate to serious. 

Stern is a former U.S. Marine, having served in the military for four years. He and his wife later immigrated to Israel, where Stern now teaches Krav Maga self-defense and is a weapons instructor. 

Medics took the wounded gunman to the hospital to have his injuries treated before being handed over to Israel’s Shin Bet security agency for questioning.

The IDF said they locked down the town of Huwara to prevent another revenge attack by settlers, as happened following the fatal shooting of Israeli brothers Hallel and Yigal Yaniv when they drove through the town last month. 

After news broke about the latest shooting attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement in support of Stern and the security forces working in the area. 

“I am praying for the wounded hero injured in the attack in Huwara, who was able to neutralize the terrorist,” Netanyahu said. “I send my support to the security forces operating in the area. I reiterate: Anyone trying to harm the citizens of Israel will pay the price.” 

The shooting happened the same day that Israel met with Palestinian Authority officials in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for an emergency security summit, intended to address the rising violence and to lower tensions.

The murder of the two Yaniv brothers on Feb. 26 also took place during a security summit organized for Israeli and PA representatives in Aqaba, Jordan.