Dozens of Israeli settlers have reportedly set fire to homes and vehicles in the village of Jit, located in the occupied West Bank, resulting in at least one confirmed fatality, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
On Thursday evening, masked settlers attacked the village near Nablus, throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Palestinian health ministry stated that a local man in his early 20s lost his life and another individual sustained critical chest injuries. The IDF is currently investigating the reports of the incident.
Israeli political leaders have condemned the violence, promising to hold those responsible accountable. One suspect was apprehended in Jit, as reported by the IDF.
Videos circulating online appear to show the destruction caused by the fire, with smoke rising over the village. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that individuals responsible for such criminal acts will be identified and prosecuted. In a public statement, Israeli President Isaac Herzog emphasized that the extremists represent a small minority that jeopardizes the reputation of the broader settler community and Israel internationally. He called for law enforcement to act promptly against those responsible.
The IDF responded swiftly to the violence, deploying forces to the village “within minutes” of the reports, and dispersed the crowd by firing warning shots. A thorough investigation involving the IDF, Israel’s security agency, and police has been initiated in light of this serious incident.
International reactions continue, with the US labeling settler attacks as “unacceptable,” urging Israeli authorities to take proactive measures to protect all communities and ensure accountability for such acts of violence.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there have been over 1,000 reports of settler attacks against Palestinians since October, displacing approximately 1,390 individuals, including 660 children. The violence has often resulted in fatalities; OCHA reports noted 107 attacks leading to deaths and injuries, alongside 859 incidents causing damage to property.
While global attention remains fixated on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the alarming patterns of settler violence have prompted responses from the US, EU, and UK, leading to sanctions imposed on certain settler leaders and, for the first time, on entire settler outposts.
