Israeli authorities have apprehended four individuals suspected of involvement in a violent assault on a Palestinian village in the West Bank, where one Palestinian was tragically killed. The incident occurred on August 15 when a group of rioters attacked the town of Jit using firearms and Molotov cocktails. This act of violence prompted strong condemnation from Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed a prompt investigation.
The police and domestic security agency described the attack as a severe act of terrorism, involving arson, stone-throwing, and live gunfire that resulted in the death of one Palestinian and injuries to another. Three adults and a minor have been arrested by the Shin Bet security agency and Israeli police for their suspected involvement in multiple acts of terrorism against Palestinians.
Shin Bet director Ronen Bar cautioned Netanyahu about the escalating extremist settler violence, warning that the country is on the verge of a catastrophe. He emphasized that such violence should not be dismissed as mere “nationalistic crimes” but should be recognized as acts of Jewish terror.
Reports circulating on Israeli social media suggested that Bar’s letter implicated Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in indirectly or explicitly encouraging such violence, leading to a heated exchange during a cabinet meeting. The attackers, estimated to be around a hundred by village residents, set fires, destroyed homes and vehicles, and damaged water tanks, as seen in video footage of the incident.
Netanyahu underscored the seriousness of the attack, emphasizing that combating terrorism is the responsibility of the Israel Defense Force and security forces exclusively. Even Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known for his nationalist stance on expanding Jewish settlements in the West Bank, distanced himself from the violence, denouncing the attack as criminal behavior that must be dealt with decisively by law enforcement authorities.
Following the assault, Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, clarified that the extremists involved were not primarily settlers from the West Bank region he represents. He condemned their actions, labeling them as a fringe group of violent individuals. The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation within Israel, highlighting the complex and volatile dynamics in the region.
(Original content sourced from The Associated Press and Reuters) Please rewrite this sentence.
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