Israeli settlers set homes, vehicles on fire in Palestinian town

Scores of Israeli settlers on Sunday rampaged through a Palestinian town in the northern West Bank, torching homes and vehicles in the worst such violence in decades after a Palestinian gunman killed two Israelis.

Palestinian officials say one man has been killed and four others were badly wounded.

The deadly shooting, followed by the late-night rampage, is raising questions about a Jordanian declaration that it had received assurances from Israel and the Palestinians to calm a year-long wave of violence.

The rampage occurred shortly after the Jordanian government, which hosted Sunday’s talks at the Red Sea resort of Aqaba, said the sides had agreed to take steps to de-escalate tensions and would meet again next month ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Yusuf Merhej, who lost three cars and a tractor, filmed some of the flames from inside his house.

"This is what happens. Wherever you turn you find fire. You find tear gas. Nothing good remains," Merhaj can be heard saying while filming.

Settlers burned at least six houses and dozens of cars in Hawara.

Attacks on other neighbouring Palestinian villages were also reported, according to Ghassan Douglas, a Palestinian official who monitors Israeli settlements in the Nablus region.

He estimated around 400 Jewish settlers took part in the attack.