Israeli Settlement Attacks Village In West Bank, Netanyahu Condemns

ILLUSTRATION/Gaza/Obviously UNOCHA/Themba Linden

JAKARTA Dozens of Israeli settlers, some of whom wore masks, attacked Palestinian villages near the town of Qalqilya in the West Bank. The mob burned the car and killed one person.

Palestinian Health Ministry said a Palestinian was killed and another seriously injured by Israeli settlers' fire in an incident in the village of Jit.

Footage shared on social media showed cars and houses on fire following the attack.

The White House said the attacks carried out by settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank were unacceptable and had to be stopped.

"Israeli authorities must take action to protect all communities from harm, including intervene to stop the violence, and hold all perpetrators of the violence accountable," a White House spokesman said.

The Israeli military said police and army units intervened and arrested an Israeli citizen. They condemned the incident which was deemed to have diverted security forces from other responsibilities.

The military said it was examining reports of Palestinian deaths.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement saying he condemned the attack.

"Those responsible for any violations will be arrested and tried," he said.

Palestinians often accuse Israeli security forces of silence and allow groups of settlers who commit violence to attack their homes and villages.

The United States and a number of European countries have imposed sanctions on settlers who commit violence and have repeatedly asked Israel to do more to stop the attack.