The IDF said Monday evening that it was backing the soldiers who were involved in an incident in Kalandiya, north of Jerusalem, on Monday morning, in which three Palestinian Authority Arabs were shot dead.
An investigation into the incident found that during the late night hours on Sunday night, a Border Police force entered Kalanidya for the purpose of arresting a wanted Tanzim terrorist who deals with weapons trading.
In the past, security forces attempted to arrest the terrorist, but he was not at home during the first attempt and managed to escape during a second attempt.
About 10 minutes after the forces entered Kalandiya, about 300 Arabs started a riot, throwing rocks, blocks and other objects at the soldiers.
Upon the beginning of the disturbances, the officers used riot control measures, and when that failed to quell the riot, fired shots at Arabs who threw firebombs at them. Additional forces were sent in gradually according to plan.
The investigation found that the officers were able to apprehend the terrorist after about 20 minutes, at which point they left.
A military official said Monday evening that the shooting by the officers was carried out according to protocol.
"The behavior of all the forces was measured, responsible and professional,” said the official.
The Palestinian Authority reacted angrily to the incident, cancelling a session of peace talks with Israeli negotiators that was scheduled for Monday.
"What happened today in Kalandiya shows the real intentions of the Israeli government," said PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina.
It has been revealed that one of the three terrorists killed in the riot had been released in 2011, as part of the deal to free Gilad Shalit.
Another one of the casualties was also a known terrorist, according to the Israeli security service, Shin Bet.