HEBRON (Agencies): Israeli authorities arrested five individuals in the southern West Bank on Friday following an attempted attack on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Central Command head, Major General Avi Bluth, during an annual pilgrimage in Hebron.
Bluth, who was present in the city to oversee security for the gathering, became the target of hostility when a group of Jewish extremists reportedly chased him and his soldiers, calling him a “traitor.” Neither Bluth nor his accompanying forces sustained injuries during the incident, according to Israeli media reports.
- Riots and Arrests
The arrests followed another violent riot near the settlement of Itamar in the West Bank, where masked settlers clashed with Israeli security forces. Settlers hurled stones at IDF soldiers and Border Police officers, and one soldier was punched during the chaos, according to reports from Kan TV News.
In a statement, the IDF confirmed the arrests of five settlers involved in the riot, condemning the actions of those who targeted Israeli forces tasked with maintaining order.
- Defense Minister’s Response
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz strongly condemned the attack on Maj. Gen. Bluth and the violence against security personnel. “Harming IDF commanders and soldiers, who dedicate their lives to the security of Israel and its citizens, is an attack on the entire country,” Katz stated. He called on law enforcement to act swiftly and urged settler leadership to denounce such actions unequivocally.
The incident occurred shortly after Katz announced the cessation of administrative detention warrants against Jewish settlers in the West Bank, a policy that has been a contentious issue among settlers and rights groups alike.
- Underlying Tensions
This confrontation underscores the ongoing tension between extremist settler groups and Israeli authorities in the West Bank. These groups often clash with security forces over policies they perceive as favoring Palestinians, such as the dismantling of illegal outposts or the arrest of settlers involved in violent riots.
The attempted attack on Maj. Gen. Bluth highlights the strained relationship between some segments of the settler community and the IDF, despite the military’s role in protecting settlements. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and reignited debates about law enforcement and accountability in the region.
Investigations into the riot and attempted attack are ongoing, with authorities vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.