Jerusalem: Israel’s military chief on Wednesday pledged to curb a recent surge in settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, following a wave of violence that has left several people injured and homes destroyed.

The announcement came a day after Israeli forces arrested several settlers near the northern city of Tulkarem, where clashes broke out between settlers and Palestinians. According to the military, “masked Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and set fire to property in the area,” leaving at least four Palestinians injured and requiring medical evacuation.

“We are aware of the recent violent incidents in which Israeli civilians attacked Palestinians and Israelis. I strongly condemn them,” said Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the army’s chief of staff, in a statement.

Zamir stressed that the army “will not tolerate criminal behaviour by a small minority that tarnishes the law-abiding public,” adding that such actions “cross a red line and divert our troops from their mission.”

He vowed that the military “is determined to stop this phenomenon and will act decisively until justice is served.”

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, with more than half a million Israelis now living in settlements considered illegal under international law. Some settlers have been accused of carrying out attacks on Palestinians, who say that Israeli forces rarely prosecute the perpetrators.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that October 2024 was the worst month for settler violence since the agency began monitoring in 2006, recording 264 incidents causing injuries or property damage. Almost none of those responsible have faced legal consequences, according to the UN.

Gen. Zamir said Israeli forces were operating “to prevent threats and harm to residents of the area,” adding: “We operate according to a clear principle: terrorism only meets the army… we are the defensive barrier between terrorist organisations and Israel’s civilians.”

Violence has sharply escalated in the West Bank since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023. According to Palestinian officials, at least 1,003 Palestinians have been killed in the territory by Israeli forces or settlers since then.