Tensions in the occupied West Bank soared again on Friday night after Israeli settlers launched a violent rampage in the village of Kafr Malek — this time targeting not just Palestinians but also Israeli soldiers. According to Israel’s Kan public broadcaster, several dozen settlers attacked military reservists who had arrived to respond to the chaos.
Eyewitness accounts and official sources said the settlers beat, choked, and threw rocks at the soldiers. They also slashed the tires of a police cruiser and even attempted to run over an officer, escalating the already tense situation.
The incident marks a rare moment where Israeli settlers turned against their own security forces. It follows a pattern of increased settler violence in the West Bank, where attacks on Palestinian villages have become disturbingly frequent.
Nine Arrested as Soldiers Injured
In the wake of the assault, Israeli police arrested nine individuals suspected of participating in the attack on the soldiers. Several soldiers sustained light injuries and were treated at the scene, according to Israeli media reports.
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This is one of the few instances where Israeli authorities have taken visible action against settler violence. Typically, Palestinian communities bear the brunt of such assaults with little accountability for the attackers. Human rights groups have long criticized Israel for failing to curb settler aggression, especially when it occurs under military protection.
The army has not officially commented on the attack against its troops, but the arrests may indicate growing concern within Israeli leadership over the loss of control among extremist settler groups.
Deadly Assault Still Fresh in Kafr Malek
Friday’s incident came just two days after another violent settler raid on Kafr Malek, in which three Palestinians were killed during confrontations with settlers and Israeli soldiers. Residents of the village say the settlers, many armed and masked, stormed the area under military protection, setting fire to homes and vehicles.
That deadly assault drew widespread condemnation from Palestinian leaders and human rights groups, who accused the Israeli military of enabling and even shielding the attackers.
Kafr Malek, located northeast of Ramallah, has become a flashpoint in the West Bank as settler violence intensifies. The village is part of a broader trend where settler groups, emboldened by far-right political support, are expanding illegal outposts and launching increasingly brazen attacks.
The recent violence raises urgent questions about Israel’s policy in the occupied West Bank. While settlers continue to act with near impunity, even turning on soldiers, Palestinian communities remain vulnerable and unprotected.
With no clear accountability and rising extremism, observers warn the West Bank is inching toward a deeper crisis. If Israeli forces are now becoming targets of settler aggression, the state may be losing its grip on the very groups it once empowered.
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