Violence spikes in West Bank as settlers clash with Palestinians, killing two

On Monday, a group of settlers from an outpost two kilometres from Hajja raided the village, prompting residents to gather and confront them. Israeli troops arrived from the opposite side, and both soldiers and settlers opened fire, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old Palestinian and injuries to three others. The military said it fired warning shots before targeting those it deemed instigators.

In a separate episode near Qusra, a Palestinian entered a settler outpost, stabbed a 20-year-old Israeli farm owner, and was subsequently shot by a commander after attempting to attack soldiers. The Palestinian Authority health ministry confirmed the attacker’s death. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed wishes for the settler’s recovery and reiterated a policy of eliminating “terrorists” in the West Bank, following recent pressure to curb illegal outposts. International bodies have condemned the surge in settler violence, and the Israeli government has ordered the removal of some outposts under U.S. pressure.