Netanyahu condemns settler violence in West Bank villages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered rare criticism of Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, condemning what he called "criminal acts of violence" perpetrated in two Palestinian villages.

"I strongly condemn the criminal acts of violence committed in the villages of Qusra and Jalud by a handful of rioters who are violating the law, causing a grave injustice to the law-abiding Jewish community, interfering with the IDF in carrying out its missions, and harming Israel's standing in the world," Mr Netanyahu said in a statement.

The Israeli prime minister's statement came hours after dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Qusra in the northern occupied West Bank on Saturday, local time, according to residents and the military, after nearly three weeks of tension in the area.

Earlier in August, a group of rogue settlers began blocking supplies from entering Palestinian houses on the outskirts of the village near Nablus, trapping residents inside and drawing domestic and international condemnation.

Weeks later, Israeli forces continue to operate in the area while settlers still roam the surrounding hills.

On Saturday, Qusra resident Yussef Abdul Kareem Hassan told AFP that a handful of villagers were doing work on a house when they were approached by a small group of settlers.

The settlers then called for backup and returned with dozens more, Mr Hassan said, adding that they had surrounded the Palestinians inside the house and began throwing stones.

AFP footage of Qusra on Saturday showed dozens of Israeli forces deployed to the site.

The Israeli military said soldiers and border police forces were dispatched "following reports that Israeli rioters had arrived in the area and that violent clashes had occurred, including stone-hurling toward Palestinians and additional civilians".

"Upon their arrival, the security forces identified dozens of rioters who had barricaded themselves inside a Palestinian home while Palestinian residents were inside," a military statement said, adding that it was "aware of reports of Palestinian injuries".

It said forces had worked to remove the settlers from the house, separate the groups, and confiscate vehicles "that were suspected of having been used to reach the area".

The vehicles would be used as evidence in a police investigation that has been opened, it said, adding that forces continued to operate in the area "to prevent further disturbances and restore order".

"The security forces strongly condemn all forms of violence," it said.

Violence by Israeli settlers towards Palestinians in the West Bank has persisted for years, often with little or no legal consequence, but recent months have seen a surge in attacks.

More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the Palestinian territory, which are illegal under international law, among some 3 million Palestinians.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.

According to an AFP tally based on data from the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli forces or settlers have killed at least 1,103 Palestinians in the West Bank, including both militants and civilians, since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023.

Israeli figures show at least 48 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations during the same period.