Israeli president and high-ranking military officials have condemned attacks by Jewish settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, calling for an end to a growing wave of settler violence in the occupied territory.
President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as “shocking and serious”, becoming a rare and powerful voice to what has been muted criticism by top Israeli officials of the settler violence.
Herzog’s position, while largely ceremonial, is meant to serve as a moral compass and unifying force for the country.
He said the violence committed by a “handful” of perpetrators “crosses a red line”, adding in a social media post that “all state authorities must act decisively to eradicate the phenomenon”.
His remarks, and those of two high-ranking military officials, came after dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf in the West Bank on Tuesday, setting fire to vehicles and other property before clashing with Israeli soldiers.
The Israeli army’s chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, echoed Herzog’s condemnations of the West Bank violence, saying the military “will not tolerate the phenomena of a minority of criminals who tarnish a law-abiding public”.
On Wednesday, police said three of the suspects were released and that one, a minor arrested on suspicion of arson and assault, will remain in custody for six more days, as ordered by a judge.
Police said the actions of the three who were released are still under investigation “with the goal of bringing offenders to justice, regardless of their background”.
Tuesday’s violence in the West Bank was the latest in a series of attacks by young settlers that have surged since the genocide in Gaza erupted two years ago. The attacks have intensified in recent weeks as Palestinians harvest their olive trees in an annual ritual.
Separately, Israel reopened a crossing into the northern Gaza Strip that had been closed for two months. The move was welcomed by officials at the United Nations (UN), who say Israel has been too slow in surging humanitarian aid to the territory since a ceasefire began last month.
The Israeli military also said it killed four armed fighters who posed an “immediate threat” in areas of southern Gaza under its control. In Khan Yunis, one person was killed while approaching Israeli troops across the so-called yellow line.
In Rafah, three people were killed while troops in the area were working to destroy underground tunnels.