Two Israelis, Palestinian killed in West Bank
Two Israelis living in a West Bank settlement were killed on Sunday in a "Palestinian terror attack", officials said, sparking violence in which a Palestinian man was killed, while settlers torched homes in revenge. The latest deaths came amid talks in Jordan to discuss worsening violence in the occupied territory, and days after Israeli forces launched their deadliest West Bank raid in nearly 20 years, which left 11 Palestinians dead in the northern city of Nablus. Sunday's attack on the two settlers – named as brothers Yagel Yaniv, 20, and Hallel Yaniv, 22 – took place just south of the city, targeting a car on the main road through the town of Huwara. A joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, confirmed "two Israeli civilians were killed in a Palestinian terror attack", which has not been claimed by any group. They were residents of Har Bracha, a religious Jewish settlement close to Nablus, a statement from the community said. Late on Sunday, Israeli media reported clashes between Palestinians and settlers seeking revenge near Huwara. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that settlers "set fire to several Palestinian-owned houses" in villages near Nablus. A 37-year-old Palestinian, Sameh Aqtash, was shot dead in Zaatara village near Nablus, the Palestinian health ministry said. The Israeli army did not immediately comment, but said it had evacuated dozens of Palestinians from their homes threatened by fires in Huwara. Abdullah Al-Huwari, 36, an eyewitness, reported that "large numbers of settlers attacked the village of Huwara", setting fire to homes and cars. "I see in front of me flames," he said. "Wherever I turn my eyes, I see the flames of a burning house." Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a "forceful condemnation". "Taking the law into one's own hands, rioting, and committing violence against innocents – this is not our way," Herzog said. The Palestinian Red Cross said 98 people were treated, most after inhaling tear gas, while Israeli emergency services reported three Israelis injured after being hit by stones. (AFP)