An Israeli tow-truck driver found dead Monday in a village near the West Bank city of Ramallah apparently died as the result of a work-related accident, according police sources.

It was originally reported that 50-year-old Sha'arei Tikva resident Oded Laniado was stabbed to death, although following crime lab tests conducted on the scene, it appears Laniado was struck by one of the truck's cables.

On Monday morning, Palestinian residents of Shukba ordered a tow-truck to the village in order to clear several metal chasses. Laniado arrived in the village, and was killed while removing one of the chasses.

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Police believe Laniado noticed that on of the truck's cables were loose, and exited the vehicle in order to tighten the cable. The cable apparently broke loose and struck his throat, killing him.

Nonetheless, police have not yet ruled out the possibility that Laniado was killed for political motives.

A second tow-truck driver arrived on the scene and noticed the truck, which had a running engine and an open door. Laniado was found critically wounded on the ground, but apparently still alive. The second driver called security forces to the scene, but Laniado succumbed to his wounds before they arrived.

Security forces originally feared Laniado was murdered by terrorists, and the Israel Defense Forces conducted wide-spread searches at the scene, but found nothing.