The Israeli military arrested six settlers in the occupied West Bank overnight amid claims that these individuals attacked security personnel. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the suspects were spotted driving towards a restricted military area adjacent to the Palestinian village of Kafr Malik, where recent settler violence had resulted in the deaths of three people and widespread property damage.
As Israeli forces approached the suspects, the IDF reported that its soldiers faced physical and verbal assaults. The settlers allegedly vandalized the security vehicles and attempted to ram into the forces.
All six individuals were subsequently taken into custody and handed over to police authorities. The IDF released a statement condemning any violent actions against security personnel, affirming their commitment to safeguard Israeli citizens.
Israeli politicians also denounced the settlers’ actions against the military. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an exhaustive investigation, emphasizing the need to bring those involved in the attacks to justice. “These individuals are a small minority who do not represent the vast majority of settlers, who respect the law and serve in the IDF and the security forces,” Netanyahu stated.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid voiced his concerns on social media, labeling the extremists who target IDF members as “dangerous criminals who are aiding our enemies.”
Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Democrats party, criticized ongoing settler violence, referring to earlier incidents as a “violent Jewish pogrom.” He warned that the ideological currents behind these actions are deeply entrenched, suggesting they extend even into the government’s inner circles, especially among far-right ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.
Defense Minister Israel Katz urged law enforcement to act swiftly in locating those who resorted to violence, insisting such measures are vital. Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for the Palestinian Authority presidency, accused Israel’s right-wing government of instigating the violence as part of a larger strategy and held Israel accountable for the escalating conflict.
Israel has significantly increased military actions in the West Bank, coinciding with its ongoing operations in Gaza and against Iranian proxies. This has led to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians and the destruction of entire communities, targeting alleged militants in the region. Earlier this week, Israeli forces reportedly shot and killed a Palestinian teenager, asserting that it was in response to explosive devices thrown at their troops.
In late May, Israel announced a substantial expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, a decision condemned widely as a de facto annexation. Peace Now, an Israeli NGO monitoring settlements, stated that this is the most significant expansion since the Oslo Accords were signed over three decades ago. Israel plans to create 22 new settlements, including those in previously vacated areas, despite international laws deeming settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal.