Israeli officials work at the scene of a Palestinian terrorist attack in Jerusalem, Nov. 30, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
A civilian who intervened to stop a Palestinian terror attack in Jerusalem on Thursday has tragically died after Israeli soldiers mistakenly took the man for a terrorist and shot him.
Yuval Doron Castleman, 37, was on his way to work at a nearby government complex, according to his family, when he saw the attack and headed to the scene. Having served in the Israeli security forces, Castleman shot and killed a terrorist, after which, according to video released from the scene, he seemed to momentarily enter the terrorists’ car and upon exiting it was shot at.
Castleman threw his gun down and put up his hands, yelling “don’t shoot.” However, he was shot again and taken to the hospital, where he died later in the day. Friday would have been his 38th birthday.
“Yuval noticed a terrorist attack from the other side of the road while driving to his job at the government complex, and stopped his car to stop the terrorists,” Israel’s Channel 13 quoted his family as saying on Friday. “He had previously served in the security forces and was always a hero and the first to jump in and save lives, which he did this time as well.”
The Hamas terror group claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack at a a bus station in Jerusalem, where Palestinian terrorists opened fire, murdering three people and injuring several others.
Hamas said in a statement that the two perpetrators were “jihad-waging martyrs,” adding that the terrorist attack was in response to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
As for Castleman’s death, the Israel Police and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating his shooting.
“The findings of the investigation so far indicate that during the attack, one of the IDF soldiers identified and mistakenly suspected the late Yuval — who acted bravely and courageously to neutralize the terrorists — as a third terrorist,” police said. “The same soldier also fired at him which led to his serious injury and tragic death.”
Police added that “Military Police investigators joined the investigation.”
The army also said that “the IDF expresses sorrow at the death of the civilian.”
Civilians are often armed in Israel, and more have armed themselves since Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre across southern Israel. However, tragic accidents such as Castleman’s death are rare. This is largely because those with gun licenses undergo extensive gun training and situational awareness tests, according to a senior IDF officer.
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