A Palestinian man who was filmed spitting on a female Israel Defense Forces officer on a public bus in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan has turned himself in to security forces, authorities confirmed on Sunday evening.

The suspect, a resident of the village of Huwara in Samaria, was transferred for further investigation by district police. The attack, caught on video, sparked condemnation from top Israeli officials and renewed calls for harsh penalties against those who target IDF personnel.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had earlier demanded that law enforcement authorities prosecute the assailant. “The despicable terrorist who assaulted and spat on a uniformed IDF officer must be punished to the fullest extent,” Katz posted on social media, adding, “We will not allow harm to come to our soldiers.”

“I trust the law enforcement authorities pursue him to the fullest extent of the law, so that it is clear: Anyone who harms IDF soldiers will pay a heavy price,” said Katz.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also commented on the case, writing on X: “Zero tolerance for anyone who harms IDF soldiers.”

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