Israel’s president condemns West Bank attacks

‘Shocking’ settler violence targeting Palestinians must end, Isaac Herzog says.

- By ME.Laniz LIDMAN AND JULIA FRANKEL

VEHICLES in the West Bank village of Beit Lid were set on fire Tuesday by Israeli settlers wearing masks.

(MAJDI MOHAMMED Associated Press)

President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as “shocking and serious,” adding a rare and powerful voice to what has been muted criticism by top Israeli officials of the settler violence. Herzog’s position, while largely ceremonial, is meant to serve as a moral compass and unifying force for the country.

Herzog said the violence committed by a “handful” of perpetrators “crosses a red line,” adding in a social media post that “all state authorities must act decisively to eradicate the phenomenon.”

His remarks, and those of two high-ranking military officials, came after dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf in the West Bank on Tuesday, setting fire to vehicles and other property before clashing with Israeli soldiers.

In other developments Wednesday:

Israel reopened across-ing into the northern Gaza Strip that had been closed for two months. The move was welcomed by officials at the United Nations, who say Israel has been too slow in surging humanitarian aid to the territory since a ceasefire began last month. Aid hasbeen delivered into Gaza since Oct. 10 through two crossings in southern and central Gaza.

The Israeli military said itkilled four armed militants who posed an “immediate threat” in areas of southern Gaza under its control. In Khan Yunis, one person was killed while approaching Israeli troops across the so-called yellow line. In Rafah, three people were killed while troops in the area were working to destroy underground tunnels.

Military condemns West Bank violence