Eight Israeli settlers were arrested by Israeli security forces for their involvement in violent riots and attacks against Palestinians and IDF soldiers in the northern West Bank, according to the Israel Police and Shin Bet security service. The violence erupted overnight and continued into Wednesday morning.
The disturbances began after members of the Civil Administration and Border Police worked to dismantle an illegal settler outpost near Beit Furik, a Palestinian village close to Nablus. The outpost had been constructed on private Palestinian land. As Israeli forces evacuated the Or Yosef outpost, settlers hurled stones at the troops, injuring two Border Police officers.
Following this, the settlers launched attacks on nearby villages. In Beit Furik, they set fire to property and threw stones, while in Huwara, another Palestinian town, they caused additional damage, setting homes and vehicles on fire. The Yesh Din anti-occupation watchdog reported that a Palestinian family’s home, occupied by seven people, was burned, although neighbors were able to save them. The father of the family was injured in the attack and taken to the hospital with skull fractures.
In Rujeib, another village in the Nablus area, around 20 settlers gathered, seemingly preparing for further violence. However, when IDF soldiers and Border Police arrived, they clashed with the settlers.
The violence extended to a separate incident at the Yitzhar settlement, where the head of local security fired shots into the air after being attacked by masked assailants armed with batons.
Israeli security forces responded quickly, dispersing the crowds and arresting a number of suspects. The IDF emphasized its commitment to combating violence against its troops and security personnel, stressing that those responsible for such acts must face prosecution.
Settler violence in the West Bank has escalated since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which has led to increased tensions and violent retaliations. Western nations have criticized Israel’s handling of settler violence, noting that prosecution in these cases remains rare.
Since the outbreak of hostilities, the IDF has arrested thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank, including many affiliated with Hamas. However, violence in the region continues, with both Palestinians and Israelis suffering casualties.