Military forces in Israel acknowledge blunders following assault by settlers
In late August, radical Jewish settlers launch an assault on a West Bank village. They forcefully invade the area, causing property damage by setting houses ablaze. Sadly, a young Palestinian loses their life as a result of this violent attack. The Israeli military was powerless to intervene initially. Now, they admit fault.
Two weeks later, Avi Bluth, the Central Command leader of the Israeli Army responsible for the West Bank, acknowledged the failure. "This was a heinous act of terror where Israelis intentionally caused harm to the citizens of Dja, and we faltered because we didn't arrive swiftly enough to safeguard them," he stated.
A 23-year-old Palestinian was fatally shot, while another was gravely wounded. The settlers also torched houses and vehicles. Despite warnings and the dispatch of numerous forces, about a hundred masked individuals stormed Dja, the army reported. A military unit arrived in the Palestinian village a few minutes later but could have taken stronger action against the rioters.
The settlers were eventually removed with additional forces' assistance 30 minutes into the attack. Border police situated in the area successfully prevented additional settlers from joining the attack. Israeli forces further assisted Palestinians in escaping burning buildings. Currently, four suspects are in custody, with more arrests imminent, the army revealed.
USA imposes penalties on Israeli NGO
Meanwhile, the US government imposed penalties on the Israeli non-governmental organization Hashomer Hatzair in the West Bank. At the start of February, the residents of the Palestinian Bedouin village of Chirbet Zanuta near Hebron were forced to evacuate their homes, according to the US Department of State. Volunteers from the NGO encircled the village and prevented the residents from returning. The US government accuses NGO volunteers of safeguarding settler positions by herding livestock.
Additionally, the US government imposed penalties on the security coordinator of the Yitzhar settlement in the West Bank. In February 2024, the individual led a group of armed settlers in establishing roadblocks and patrols aimed at attacking Palestinians and forcibly displacing them from their land.
The US has imposed penalties on extremist settlers in the West Bank multiple times. "Extremist settler violence in the West Bank inflicts immense human suffering, endangers Israel's security, and threatens the prospects for peace and stability in the region," remarked the ministry. It is imperative that the Israeli government holds all individuals and organizations accountable for conducting violence against civilians in the West Bank.
"Israel takes seriously the imposition of penalties against its citizens," said the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The matter is under discussion with the US. As a result of the penalties, the assets of the targeted individuals in the US may be frozen. US citizens or individuals in the US are prohibited from conducting business with the sanctioned entities. Banks transacting with them face potential penalties.
The violence in the West Bank has once again brought attention to the Palestinian territories. The US government has taken action against Israeli entities involved in the displacement of Palestinians, imposing penalties on organizations like Hashomer Hatzair and individuals in settlements.
