Israeli police release video of alleged car-ramming attack

Israeli police on Wednesday released a video of a Palestinian vehicle slamming into a West Bank checkpoint and Israeli security forces shooting and killing driver.

release of security-camera foot appeared to be aimed at bolstering police claims that car-ramming was an attack. man's family has said he h reason to try to harm Israeli security forces.

video shows vehicle slowly approaching checkpoint before turning suddenly and speeding up as it rams into a small booth, sending a female officer flying through air. man, whose face and body are blurred, gets out of car and takes a few steps before he is shot. It's unclear if he h anything in his hands.

A police statement said man, identified as Ahmed Erekat, waited for an opportune moment and “wildly plunged” vehicle into forces at scene. It said female officer was lightly wounded and has been released from hospital.

Erekat's family has disputed police account, saying that he was preparing to celebrate his sister's wedding Tuesday and that he himself was scheduled to get married next week. y said he owned a business and h reason to carry out an attack.

Hiba Erekat, man's cousin, said family was baffled by video.

“We kw Ahmed. He h reason to commit suicide. He was on good terms with his fiancee, his family and people in his town," she said. “We are wondering if he h any personal problems and wanted to escape.”

But ura Erakat, ar cousin and a human rights attorney, denied video showed evidence of an attack. In a Twitter thre, she said it might have been an accident and questioned why police killed him after he exited vehicle.

In recent years, Israel has seen car-ramming attacks, shootings and stabbings carried out mostly by lone Palestinian attackers with apparent links to armed groups.

Palestinians and human rights groups have frequently accused Israeli security forces of using excessive force, and in some cases of opening fire at cars that merely lost control. y have also accused Israeli forces of using lethal force when ir lives were t in danger and when y could have arrested suspects.