According to the IDF, the individuals were spotted driving toward a closed military zone near the Palestinian village of Kafr Malik—an area where settlers had reportedly set fire to homes and vehicles days earlier, in an attack that Palestinian officials say killed three people.

When Israeli forces approached, the suspects allegedly physically assaulted and verbally abused the soldiers. The IDF added that the group vandalized military vehicles and attempted to ram the security forces. Six suspects were apprehended and transferred to the police for further investigation, the military said.

In an official statement, the IDF declared: “The IDF and Israel Police condemn any act of violence against security forces and will act firmly against any attempt to harm security personnel carrying out their duty to protect Israeli citizens.”

Israeli politicians across the spectrum condemned the settler violence. Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on social media: “The extremists who attack IDF soldiers who are guarding the security of the State of Israel during these difficult days are dangerous criminals who are aiding our enemies.”

Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Democrats party, described the violence as part of a broader extremist movement. He had previously labeled settler attacks in the area as a “violent Jewish pogrom.” Golan said: “The Kahanist, nationalist, and fanatic Israel is deliberately working to dismantle the Jewish and democratic Israel,” referencing Meir Kahane—an extremist rabbi whose political party was banned under Israeli anti-terrorism laws.

“This is not a marginal occurrence. This is a dangerous current that has taken deep roots—even around the government table,” Golan added, referring to far-right ministers in the current coalition government, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Both were sanctioned earlier this month by the UK, Canada, and other Western allies. Smotrich has advocated for the formal annexation of West Bank settlements, while Ben-Gvir’s party includes followers of Kahane’s outlawed movement.

In a statement, Defense Minister Israel Katz called on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in the violence, saying they should be “brought to justice, as is done everywhere.”

Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority presidency, said the settler attacks are part of a wider strategy by Israel’s “extremist right-wing government” to provoke a broader confrontation in the West Bank. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, Abu Rudeineh held Israel “fully responsible for the consequences of this bloody aggression.” (CNN)