IDF soldier caught on video kicking, hitting Palestinian boy

JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli soldier was caught on film kicking and hitting a 12-year-old Palestinian boy in Hebron.

The video of the incident, which occurred on Saturday, was uploaded to YouTube by the International Solidarity Movement – Palestine on Sunday and by Monday afternoon had been viewed more than 10,700 times.

It has not been disclosed what led to the incident. After pushing one young boy away, then kicking and hitting the 12 year old, the soldier, identified in Israeli news reports as a commander in the Kfir Brigade, began chasing after several other Palestinian children. The soldier also shouted epithets at the children.

The soldier has not been named. The Israel Defense Forces condemned the soldier’s actions and told Israel Channel 10 that it would investigate the incident.

The video comes less than a month after IDF soldiers in Hebron were caught on video detaining a boy, 5, for throwing rocks at cars with Israeli license plates.