Israeli security forces detained three suspects at Shavei Shomron junction in Samaria at the West Bank on Thursday on suspicion of setting fire to four Palestinian vehicles with Molotov cocktails, the IDF reported.
The suspects were among dozens of masked settlers who were said to have vandalized property in the area, it said.
Two Palestinians were inside one of the vehicles when it was set alight. One managed to escape but was beaten with clubs by the settlers. They were evacuated for medical treatment and were in moderate condition, Israeli media outlets reported.
The Israel Police were interrogating the three detained suspects, who were said to live in Shavei Shomron, the IDF said.
'Violence must be stopped'
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan said the council has “zero tolerance for violence... We demand that the law-enforcement system bring this violent group to justice.”
תיעוד: רעולי פנים יידו אבנים לעבר רכב בכפר בצפון השומרון@roysharon11 https://t.co/3oK3xgpjaN pic.twitter.com/WSoNMmRKGi
“This violent, marginal handful [of people] does not represent the settlements and does not represent its values,” he said, adding that they damage the reputation of the settlements and their residents.
the settlements and their residents.
“Violence is violence, and it must be stopped,” Dagan said.