Israeli settlers attack Palestinians in Jit village: Authorities

Dozens of Israeli settlers, some wearing masks, attacked the Palestinian village of Jit near the city of Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank, burning cars and killing at least one person, authorities said on Thursday August 15.

The Palestinian health ministry said one Palestinian was killed and another critically wounded by Israeli settlers’ gunfire during the incident in the village of Jit, the latest in a series of attacks by violent settlers in the occupied West Bank.

CCTV Footage showed cars and houses on fire during the attacks.

The White House said late on Thursday attacks by settlers on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank were “unacceptable and must stop.”

The Israeli military said police and army units intervened and arrested one Israeli. It condemned the incident, which it said diverted security forces from other responsibilities.

The military said it was examining reports about the death of the Palestinian.

Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement saying he viewed the incident with “utmost severity.”
“Those responsible for any offence will be apprehended and tried,” it said.

Palestinians regularly accuse Israeli security forces of standing by and allowing groups of violent settlers to attack their houses and villages and the incidents have attracted increasing concern internationally.

The United States and a number of European countries have imposed sanctions on violent settlers and called repeatedly on Israel to do more to curb the attacks.