Israeli settlers have attacked security forces and vandalized army vehicles and security installations outside and inside a military base in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli army said on June 30.
According to Israeli media, settlers targeted the commander of the Binyamin Regional Brigade base in the West Bank, calling him a "traitor."
The commander was among the troops who were attacked last week as soldiers attempted to stop settlers from entering a closed military zone near the Palestinian village of Kafr Malik, after settlers attacked and killed at least three Palestinians.
Six civilians were arrested during the clashes.
"Dozens of Israeli civilians gathered at the entrance" of the brigade base on Sunday night, the Israeli army said in a statement.
"This gathering turned violent and some civilians attacked security forces, threw pepper spray at them and vandalized military vehicles. The army, police and coast guard intervened and dispersed the crowd," the statement said, adding that an Israeli citizen was injured during the confrontation.
Meanwhile, a few hours later, through a second announcement, the army said that "Israeli civilians set fire to and vandalized a security facility used to repel terrorist attacks" near the base.
Several Israeli government ministers have condemned the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “no state governed by the rule of law can tolerate such acts of violence and anarchy as the burning of an army building.” He called for an immediate investigation and legal prosecution of those involved.
Defense Minister Israel Katz has called a meeting of all security agencies to discuss the incident. Praising them for their dedication since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, he said the government “will not allow any violent group to harm them.”
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich condemned the incident as "unacceptable" but also praised settlements in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
"These events are unacceptable and those responsible must face justice," he said.
Several non-governmental human rights organizations have denounced the increase in settler violence in the West Bank and also their impunity.
Violence in the West Bank has escalated since the start of the war in Gaza, which was sparked by an attack by Hamas - the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union - on Israel on October 7, 2023./ REL (A2 Televizion)
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