Dozens of Israeli settlers have set fire to houses and cars in a village in the occupied West Bank, leading to a deadly attack that has sparked outrage and condemnation from political leaders.
The attack took place in the village of Jit, near Nablus, where masked settlers threw rocks and Molotov cocktails, resulting in at least one person being killed and another critically injured, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Israeli political leaders have condemned the attack, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office vowing to catch and prosecute those responsible. One Israeli national has already been detained in connection with the incident.
Footage circulating on social media shows houses and vehicles engulfed in flames in Jit, with plumes of smoke rising above the village. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were quick to respond, deploying forces to the village and shooting in the air to disperse the attackers.
The US has also weighed in on the situation, calling the attacks by settlers “unacceptable and must stop,” urging Israeli authorities to take measures to protect all communities from harm.
This incident is just one in a series of attacks by settlers against Palestinians, with over 1,000 such attacks reported since October, according to OCHA. The international community has taken notice, with sanctions being imposed on settler leaders and outposts in response to the escalating violence.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the need for a peaceful resolution and protection of all communities remains paramount.
