An assault by dozens of Israeli settlers has left a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank reeling, with widespread destruction and loss of life. More than 70 armed settlers descended on the town of Jit, firing bullets, tear gas, and setting homes and cars ablaze. The attack resulted in the tragic death of a 23-year-old Palestinian resident, Rashid Sedda, who succumbed to a chest injury sustained during the violence.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the settlers, some masked, engaged in rioting behavior, including setting fires and hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails. Israeli security forces intervened to disperse the attackers, with one individual apprehended for questioning. The IDF, along with security agencies, is conducting a joint investigation into the incident.
Footage of the assault captured burning vehicles, flames engulfing buildings, and medics desperately trying to save lives. The Palestine Red Crescent Society treated several injuries, including an elderly woman affected by gas inhalation and two young men injured by stones.
Israeli officials swiftly condemned the attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizing the severity of the incident and vowing to hold perpetrators accountable. Interior Minister Moshe Arbel labeled the assault a 'serious nationalist crime,' while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant denounced the violence as contradictory to Israel's values.
President Isaac Herzog urged law enforcement to swiftly bring the culprits to justice, emphasizing the negative impact of such incidents on Israel's reputation. Some West Bank settlement leaders distanced themselves from the attackers, characterizing them as outsiders.
Israeli settlers have a history of targeting Palestinian communities in the occupied territories, with over 1,100 recorded attacks in less than a year. The United States has imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violence, citing concerns about extremist actions undermining regional stability.
Israeli settlements, considered illegal under international law, continue to be a contentious issue, posing a significant obstacle to peace efforts in the region. The settler movement's influence has grown, drawing international scrutiny and condemnation for its role in perpetuating conflict.
