Joseph’s Tomb. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – An Israeli soldier was shot Thursday during a patrol securing Israeli worshippers at Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus. The soldier was rushed to the Rabin Medical Center in Petach Tikva, suffering from moderate injuries. The IDF has launched an investigation into the incident.

Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus is under the Palestinian security forces’ control. Jewish prayer in the compound is permitted, but worshippers are required to coordinate their visits with the military, which escorts them in and out of the area.

According to available details, military, Border Police and Civil Administration troops were securing a convoy of 16 buses carrying Jewish worshippers seeking to pray at the site. Local Palestinians rioted, hurling stones and firebombs at the troops, who used crowd control measures to restore order.

It is believed the soldier was shot when the troops came under fire near the adjacent Balata refugee camp.

The prayer service continued as planned, after which the worshippers left the area without incident.