Israel’s military said it apprehended one person who took part in the violence on Thursday, resulting in the death of one Palestinian.
EU foreign policy chief condemned the latest attack by Israeli settlers against a Palestinian village near the city of Nablus in the West Bank, saying he plans to propose further sanctions against their supporters, including those in the government.
“Day after day, in an almost total impunity, Israeli settlers fuel violence in the occupied West Bank, contributing to endanger any chance of peace,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a post on X on Friday.
“The Israeli government must stop these unacceptable actions immediately. I confirm my intention to table a proposal for EU sanctions against violent settlers’ enablers, including some Israeli government members,” he concluded.
On Thursday, masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank stormed the village of Jit, setting homes and cars on fire.
The settlers opened fire and lobbed tear gas at residents, killing a 23-year-old Palestinian and critically injuring another, Palestinian health officials and local authorities said.
At least two people sought medical help for injuries from stones thrown at them, while a third person needed assistance due to smoke inhalation, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Sufian Jit, a resident of the village, said a group of 100 settlers streamed in before sundown Thursday, burning cars, puncturing water tankers and destroying homes. He called the army and firefighters, pleading for help.
Firefighters never came, so villagers ran between burning cars to put out the fires, he said. After two hours, soldiers arrived.
“It was more than 100 settlers against us. At the beginning, there were just a few people trying to stop them, and then later the whole town came and stopped them,” he said.
Israeli officials slam Jit attack amid Israel-Hamas peace talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the attack he said he regarded with “utmost severity,” saying it was the responsibility of the army to secure the country.
“Those responsible for any offence will be apprehended and tried,” Netanyahu added in a statement.
President Isaac Herzog also condemned the attack, as did Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who said the settlers had “attacked innocent people”. He added they did not “represent the values” of settler communities.
Israel’s military said it has apprehended one civilian who took part in the violence and has opened an investigation.
Thursday’s attack was the latest incident since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October. In the West Bank, 633 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire — most by Israeli raids into Palestinian cities and towns.
Meanwhile, international diplomacy to prevent the war in Gaza from spreading into a wider regional conflict intensified Friday, with the UK and French foreign ministers making a joint trip to Israel while internationally mediated cease-fire talks in Qatar were expected to enter their second day.
The new push for an end to the Israel-Hamas war came as the Palestinian death toll in Gaza climbed past 40,000, according to Gaza health authorities, and fears remained high that Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon would attack Israel in retaliation for the killings of top militant leaders.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Israeli officials told them they were hoping they were on the verge of sealing a deal.
“As we head now to 315 days of war, the time for a deal for those hostages to be returned, for aid to get in in the quantities that are necessary in Gaza and for the fighting to stop is now,” Lammy added.
Additional sources • AP