US “deals blow” to extremist Israeli settlers, Arab bloc warns of “serious escalation” due to Tel Aviv’s actions

On August 28, the US announced new sanctions targeting extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank, while calling on Israel to take greater responsibility for violence in the region.

Israeli settlers in the West Bank. (Source: AP)

The sanctions target the Hashomer Yosh organization, which supports the illegal Meitarim settlement camp in South Hebron, West Bank. In early 2024, the group fenced off the village, forcing 250 Palestinians to leave.

The sanctions also target Yitzhak Levi Filant, the leader of an armed settler group that attacks Palestinians.

AFP news agency quoted US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller as saying: "Settler violence in the West Bank causes suffering, threatens Israel's security and undermines the prospects for regional peace ."

He stressed that Israel needs to hold accountable those who commit violence against Palestinian civilians.

Since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, violence has escalated in the West Bank, leaving at least 640 Palestinians dead by the Israeli army or settlers.

The US has repeatedly expressed concerns to Prime Minister Netanyahu about settler violence and the expansion of illegal settlements.

The sanctions were announced on the same day that Israel launched a large-scale offensive in the West Bank, targeting the cities of Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarm, as well as refugee camps in the area, damaging infrastructure and imposing a siege on the three cities.

Regarding the attack, the Arab League (AL) and Egypt also voiced their criticism. AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit declared that the Israeli attacks were a “serious escalation” and threatened the entire Middle East region.

He sees Israel's destruction of infrastructure, siege of hospitals and other actions as attempts to subjugate the Palestinian people and undermine existing agreements.

Mr. Aboul-Gheit also criticized the United States for not putting enough pressure on Israel, which has hindered efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement. He called on Washington to take a clear stance and intervene to end Israel's escalating military actions.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement strongly condemning the above attacks by Israel, accusing it of systematically violating international law.

Egypt sees this as a move to continue Israel's policy of escalating and expanding the conflict in the Palestinian territories.

Cairo also called on the international community to take a unified stance to protect Palestinians and to stop attacks on civilians. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also warned of serious risks from the current campaign.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bo-tay-my-giang-don-vao-nguoi-dinh-cu-cuc-doan-israel-khoi-arab-canh-bao-leo-thang-nghiem-trong-do-hanh-dong-cua-tel-aviv-284254.html