RAMALLAH, West Bank — Israel is convinced that new developments are about to take place in the West Bank, especially after the killing of Mazen Arabia, a Palestinian intelligence officer accused of opening fire at the Hizma military checkpoint, northeast of Jerusalem, injuring an Israeli soldier Dec. 3.

According to the Arutz Sheva, Arabia approached the checkpoint, pulled out his weapon and started shooting at the soldiers, who responded in kind. Meanwhile, no Palestinian party has confirmed the incident, as the area in which the shooting happened is controlled by Israel.

This incident, the first of its kind during the uprising in the Palestinian territories, sparked Israeli concerns that other armed Palestinian security officers will engage in similar acts. Therefore, the Israeli government rejected the recommendations of the Israel Defense Forces on Nov. 25 to supply the Palestinian security apparatus with weapons and ammunition to be used to control the situation in the West Bank and face any security developments stirred by Palestinian protesters.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported Dec. 5 that the Palestinian security forces have been very concerned following the Hizma checkpoint incident. According to the newspaper, the Palestinian Authority’s security apparatus informed Israel of its intention to investigate the incident and take all necessary measures to prevent such an occurrence. Maj. Gen. Adnan al-Damiri, the PA’s security services spokesman, denied these statements to Al-Monitor.