Israel's national security minister on Friday urged tougher military action against Palestinian fighters in the occupied West Bank and urged Israeli settlers to expand their presence there despite surging violence and international calls for a halt to new construction.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, was speaking at a settler outpost - one of several the Israeli military said had been discovered across the West Bank since Thursday but were not authorised.
"Because, ultimately, it is the only way we will seize this place, strengthen our hold and restore security to the residents." The new construction follows Netanyahu's announcement on Wednesday of plans for 1,000 new homes in the Eli settlement in response to a PalestinianAccording to the Israeli watchdog Peace Now, Eli was built in 1984 and some 4,600 settlers reside there. Palestinians in the area say they were dispossessed of their land to allow for the settlement's expansion over the years.
Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said police arrested three people on suspicion of involvement in the rampages. The army had not been adequately prepared for the outburst of settler violence, he said.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israeli drone hits Palestinian militants as West Bank violence surgesAn Israeli drone killed three militant gunmen in the West Bank on Wednesday, in a rare strike that came hours after settlers attacked Palestinian towns, torching cars and buildings in retaliation for an attack by Hamas gunmen a day earlier.
Read more »
Israel demolishes alleged Palestinian attacker’s home in volatile occupied West BankIsraeli troops on Thursday demolished the home of a Palestinian who is suspected of killing an Israeli soldier last year, in the latest military operation in the increasingly volatile occupied West Bank, which has been gripped by surging violence.
Read more »
UN: Israel must end violence in occupied West Bank immediatelyViolence in occupied West Bank 'risks spiralling out of control,' warns UN human rights chief Volker Turk.
Read more »
Israeli settlers rampage through Palestinian village after Hamas shootingAt least one Palestinian was killed and 12 were injured as armed Israeli settlers rampaged through a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday afternoon.
Read more »
Fatah says Palestinians 'will not stand idle' after Israeli settler rampagePalestine's Fatah party warns of 'unpredictable consequences' after hundreds of illegal Israeli settlers stormed into a Palestinian town, setting fire to dozens of cars and homes and murdering one resident
Read more »