In a rare admission, the Israeli military said that dozens of Israeli civilians, some of them masked, attacked a village in the West Bank, setting fire to vehicles and structures, hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails.
The Palestinian health ministry said a 23-year-old man, identified as Mahmoud Abdel Qader Sadda, was killed in the attack on Jit, a village that lies west of Nablus. Another victim suffered critical gunshot wounds to the chest.
The Israeli military said police and army units intervened and arrested one Israeli.
Israeli president Isaac Herzog condemned the attack, calling it a “pogrom”. Taking to X, Herzog said, "This is not our way and certainly not the way of Torah and Judaism. Law enforcement officials must act immediately against this serious phenomenon and bring the lawbreakers to justice."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to prosecute the criminals responsible. He said, "I take seriously the riots that took place this evening in the village of Jit, which included injury to life and property by Israelis who entered the village. Those who fight terrorism are the IDF and the security forces, and no one else. Those responsible for any criminal act will be caught and prosecuted."
The incident also drew sharp comments from the United States. A National Security Council spokesperson said that the attacks by violent settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank are unacceptable, and that Israeli authorities must take measures to protect all communities from harm.