Israel forms new task force to tackle settler violence against soldiers

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced the formation of a new inter-agency body to confront growing incidents of violence by Israeli settlers targeting Israel Defence Forces (IDF) personnel in the occupied West Bank.

The move follows a string of recent attacks on soldiers by settlers, which have raised alarm within Israel’s security establishment, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

"We will not allow or tolerate serious phenomena of this type under any circumstances," Katz said during a high-level meeting convened on June 30 night, according to a statement from the Defence Ministry.

Katz emphasised that “the main thing is significant police enforcement,” adding that the newly established body will be led by the police in coordination with the IDF and the Shin Bet internal security agency.

The minister also directed the allocation of tens of millions of shekels to support educational and normative programmes aimed at so-called “hilltop youth” — a term often used to describe radicalised young settlers.

However, authorities agreed that the primary focus would remain on preventive policing, thorough investigations, and the prosecution of suspects involved in violence against security personnel.

The meeting was attended by senior military and police officers, officials from the Defence Ministry, security agency representatives, and Special Project Manager for the Treatment of Hilltop Youth Col. (res.) Avichai Tanami, and Katz’s adviser on settlements, Yishai Marling.

Participants reportedly voiced concerns over what they described as lenient treatment of offenders involved in recent violent incidents.

The issue has now been referred to the Ministry of Justice for further consideration, the statement added.

In recent development, dozens of Israeli hard-right extremists clashed with Israeli troops outside a military base in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to a nearby security installation.

The unrest followed growing tensions over the military’s handling of settler attacks on Palestinians, including recent violent incidents in Kafr Malik, where three Palestinians were killed during confrontations. Israeli extremists reportedly launched Molotov cocktails and vandalised military vehicles, while security forces responded with force, detaining several Israelis.

Settler violence against Palestinians has surged sharply, with hundreds injured this year amid a broader military campaign against Palestinian militants in the West Bank. Human rights groups highlight a culture of impunity, noting only 3% of over 1,600 cases of settler violence since 2005 ended in convictions.

While attacks on Palestinians by Jewish extremists have increased, assaults on Israeli security forces by settlers remain rare, prompting strong condemnation from Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The United Nations and international actors have expressed deep concern over rising extremist violence and the insufficient response from Israeli authorities.

Sanctions have been imposed by the EU, UK, and the U.S. under the Biden administration, although previous U.S. penalties were quickly reversed under President Trump, reflecting ongoing international tensions surrounding settler violence and Israeli military policy in the West Bank.

By Aghakazim Guliyev