The State Department condemned the rise in violence in the West Bank on Monday, encouraging both sides to de-escalate tensions following clashes that killed one Israeli and two Palestinians.
Violence erupted last week as Israeli settlers searched for a missing 14-year-old boy. Dozens of Israeli settlers invaded cities in the West Bank, burning homes and cars and fighting with Palestinians. Two Palestinians, a 25-year-old and a 17-year-old, were killed in the clashes and dozens were injured, the State Department said.
The boy was found dead in the West Bank on Saturday, sparking another wave of violence. The Israeli military said the boy was killed in a “terrorist attack,” although no details of his death were released. The State Department referred to the boy’s death as a “murder.”
Videos shared online showed Palestinians throwing stones at Israeli military vehicles that were spraying tear gas, as well as street fights between settlers and Palestinians.
“Violence must stop. Civilians are never legitimate targets,” state spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement. “We call on authorities to take measures to protect all communities from harm and we urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to do everything possible to de-escalate tensions.”
Violence has increased in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem since the deadly Hamas attacks on October 7. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah said more than 450 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or in settler attacks in the West Bank since then.
The Biden administration has increased pressure on the Israeli government to limit illegal settlers in recent months, implementing several rounds of sanctions against individuals responsible for some violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
