An Israeli family that mistakenly entered Area A of the West Bank on Thursday evening was rescued in a security operation after the father called the police emergency hotline for help.
The family, a Jerusalem couple aged 41 and 34 and their one-year-old son, was located near a hotel in Bethlehem and safely transferred to Israeli security forces.
However, the parents were subsequently taken to the Etzion Police Station for questioning on suspicion of entering a prohibited area.
The incident began at approximately 8:25 p.m., when the father called the police emergency hotline and reported that he had accidentally entered Area A with a group of tourists.
Security forces launched an operation to locate the family, coordinating efforts between the Israel Police's Judea and Samaria District, the Joint Coordination and Cooperation Directorate, IDF coordination officials, and the Palestinian police.
Israeli family rescued from Bethlehem, parents questioned over entry into Area A
Palestinian police officers later located the man near a hotel in Bethlehem, where he was accompanied by his partner and their one-year-old son.
Following coordination between the authorities, the family was handed over to officers from the Etzion Police Station and IDF coordination representatives. All three were safe and unharmed.
The rescue, however, did not mark the end of the incident.
The parents were taken to the Etzion Police Station, where they were questioned on suspicion of entering a prohibited area.
Both were released under restrictive conditions after questioning.