JERUSALEM: Israel’s military chief on Wednesday pledged to halt settler violence in the occupied West Bank following a recent surge in attacks targeting Palestinians. The announcement came after clashes near Tulkarem left several Palestinians injured and property damaged, prompting Israeli forces to arrest multiple settlers.
Lt Gen Eyal Zamir condemned the incidents, saying, “We are aware of the recent violent incidents in which Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and Israelis. I strongly condemn them.” He added that the military would act decisively against a “small minority” whose criminal behavior undermines the rule of law and distracts troops from their core mission.
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The army said troops were dispatched after masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and set fire to property, resulting in four injuries requiring medical attention. Zamir emphasized that Israel’s forces are determined to prevent such acts and bring perpetrators to justice.
Settler violence has escalated in the West Bank since the outbreak of conflict in Gaza in October 2023. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 264 attacks in October alone—the worst month since tracking began in 2006—with almost no accountability for perpetrators. More than 500,000 Israelis currently live in settlements in the West Bank, which are deemed illegal under international law.
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Since October 2023, at least 1,003 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied territory by Israeli forces or settlers. Gen Zamir stated that the army operates as a defensive barrier between terrorist organizations and Israeli civilians while aiming to curb settler attacks that violate law and ethics.