Extremist settlers again attack truck and injure driver in West Bank Three soldiers wounded

Israeli settler extremists attacked a truck in the central West Bank and assaulted its driver on May 17 for the second night in a row, due to their mistaken belief it was delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

According to the Times of Israel, the settlers torched the vehicle and moderately injured the driver. An army force that intervened was also attacked, and three soldiers were lightly injured, including two officers.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the settlers attacked the Israeli driver of the truck at a junction outside the Kochav Hashahar settlement, northeast of Ramallah, before setting the vehicle ablaze. Troops called to the scene provided medical treatment to the driver while working to distance the dozens of assailants. The IDF said the extremists responded with violence toward the soldiers.

Israeli settler extremists attacked a truck in the central West Bank and assaulted its driver early Friday for the second night in a row, due to their mistaken belief it was delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The settlers torched the vehicle and moderately injured the driver. An army force that intervened was also attacked, and three soldiers were lightly injured, including two officers.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said the settlers attacked the Israeli driver of the truck at a junction outside the Kochav Hashahar settlement, northeast of Ramallah, before setting the vehicle ablaze. Troops called to the scene provided medical treatment to the driver while working to distance the dozens of assailants. The IDF said the extremists responded with violence toward the soldiers.

The IDF said it would seek legal action against the rioters.

Separately, at Tapuah Junction south of Nablus, dozens of rioting settlers protesting aid to Gaza hurled rocks at Palestinian cars. Police forces used tear gas and stun grenades against them.

Haaretz reported that one of the Israelis was lightly wounded after being hit by a Palestinian car. The military believes it was an accident as the vehicle attempted to flee the mob.

Two US officials told The Times of Israel Thursday night that the Biden administration was looking into sanctioning extremist Israelis involved in the recent spate of attacks targeting humanitarian aid convoys for Gaza.

The sanctions would be levied through the executive order signed by US President Joe Biden in February, which allowed the Treasury Department to designate Israelis involved in violent activity in the West Bank, the officials say.

The attacks in the West Bank largely started last month when Israel agreed to expand the aid route from Jordan to ensure that more assistance gets into Gaza.