Israeli Army Admits Failure to Protect Palestinian Village from Settler Attack
In a significant admission, Major General Avi Bluth, the commander of Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank, acknowledged on Wednesday that he had "failed to protect" the Palestinian village of Jit from a brutal attack by settlers in mid-August. The attack, which resulted in the martyrdom of a 23-year-old Palestinian, has been labeled a "very serious terrorist act" by the general. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation both locally and internationally, prompting calls for accountability and justice.
Investigation Reveals Delays and Miscommunication
The army's investigation into the attack revealed that approximately 100 masked Israelis descended upon Jit, setting fire to homes and vehicles. Troops took at least 12 minutes to respond, which Bluth described as an unacceptable delay. The initial responding force was criticized for failing to properly assess the situation, and subsequent reinforcements were only able to contain the rioters after the damage had already been done. The investigation also pointed out that some members of a civilian volunteer unit, armed by Israel for the protection of settlements, acted without authorization and contributed to the violence, resulting in their dismissal and confiscation of their weapons.
International Outcry and U.S. Sanctions
The attack on Jit has drawn significant international backlash, with the United States announcing new sanctions targeting Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The U.S. State Department emphasized that the violence perpetrated by extremist settlers not only causes severe human suffering but also undermines Israel's security and the prospects for peace in the region. This announcement coincided with the Israeli army launching a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank, which has already resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties, further escalating tensions in the area.
