Video of the incident, which took place on Friday near Hebron in the south of the West Bank, shows 24-year-old Haroun Abu Aram, along with three other men, trying to hold the generator while Israeli soldiers try to take it away.
The fight continues until, outside the camera, a single shot is heard, followed by screams, before the camera moves to reveal Abu Aram lying motionless on the ground.
The video has been widely distributed by Israeli human rights organizations and in Israeli and Palestinian media.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said soldiers were involved in a routine operation “to seize and evacuate an illegal building in the village of At-Tuwani.” Israeli forces regularly evacuate and demolish Palestinian homes in the Palestinian Territories built without a permit from the Israeli authorities.
According to the statement, the military was aware of reports that a Palestinian had been injured by burning fire during the operation and was conducting an investigation.
The military statement also said the operation was conducted in light of rock throwing by about 150 Palestinians, although this cannot be seen in the two and a half minute video of the incident circulating on social media.
Mohammed Ribe, the head of the local village committee, told CNN that Abu Aram’s own family home had been demolished a month ago and that he had tried to protect his neighbors’ properties when the IDF moved during Friday’s operation to clear their home.
“Haroun was trying to help his neighbors get their generator back when he was shot in the neck,” Ribe said.
A statement from the Hebron hospital where Abu Aram is being treated said he had been shot in the neck, which damaged his nerves and spine, and that he was paralyzed in all four limbs. The hospital added that breathing was only possible with a ventilator.