An Israeli civilian killed two Palestinians in the West Bank after they allegedly stabbed another Israeli near a settlement. The incident occurred as Israelis were attempting to extinguish a fire that broke out near the Itamar settlement. The military stated that two Palestinians stabbed an Israeli civilian who was trying to put out the fire. Another Israeli then eliminated the two Palestinians.
Incident Details
The Israeli military reported that the stabbing took place as Israelis were trying to extinguish a fire near the Itamar settlement. The wounded Israeli, who was stabbed in the chest, was evacuated to the hospital in serious condition. Yossi Dagan, head of the administrative body representing Israeli settlements in the northern West Bank, claimed that the two Palestinians came from the village of Beit Furik and that its residents had allegedly carried out the arson attack.
Escalating Violence
Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the start of the war in Gaza. Official Israeli figures show at least 46 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations. According to an AFP tally based on data from the Palestinian health ministry, Israeli soldiers or settlers have killed at least 1,090 Palestinians over the same period. The military said Israeli police and the fire service are investigating the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of the blaze.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and violence in the region, where more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements alongside around three million Palestinians. All Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law.
