7 Palestinians dead, 3 injured in West Bank crash between truck and van

At least seven Palestinians were killed and three others were seriously hurt in a crash between a truck and a van near the West Bank settlement of Petza’el on Thursday afternoon.

The Magen David Adom ambulance service said seven victims were found at the scene with no vital signs when medics arrived.

Three others were airlifted to Ein Kerem hospital in Jerusalem: A man, 18, with multi-systemic injuries listed in critical condition, a man, 20, in serious condition with multi-systemic injuries, and a man, 35, with injuries to his upper body, listed in moderate condition, MDA said.

At least two passengers remained trapped inside the minivan, as the Israel Fire and Rescue Service assessed rescue efforts would take some time.

Both vehicles belonged to Palestinians, according to medics. The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.

The collision occurred near the intersection of Route 90 and Route 505 in the West Bank’s Jordan Valley, an area where settlements and Palestinian villages are linked by winding roads known to be hazardous for drivers. Israeli activists have lobbied for years for Route 90, a two-lane road that runs the length of Israel and traverses the West Bank, to be upgraded with more safety measures.

Israel Police blocked Route 90 in both directions following the crash as well as Route 505. MDA helicopters and military helicopters were dispatched to the scene to aid in the rescue operation.

Earlier on Thursday, a 25-year-old Palestinian pedestrian was killed after being hit by an Israeli vehicle on Route 443 near the Maccabim checkpoint. Police were investigating the incident.