Settlers assault 3 Palestinians, torch cars in latest West Bank attack; 3 arrested

Three Israelis were arrested after settlers wounded at least two people and set fire to cars at a Palestinian factory near Nablus in the West Bank earlier today, according to Israeli security forces and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

The IDF and Israel Police say in a joint statement that two Palestinians were hospitalized in moderate condition as a result of the attack.

According to the Red Crescent, three people were wounded in the attack on the al-Junaida dairy factory in the village of Deir Sharaf, including a 65-year-old man whose hand was broken. A 50-year-old and a 48-year-old man were also hospitalized with bruises to their bodies.

The Israeli forces say that they arrested three suspects at the entrance to the settlement of Shavei Shomron in the northern West Bank after receiving a report that “extremists” in the area set fire to four cars and assaulted Palestinians, including one who was inside one of the cars.

#عاجل | إصابتان وإحراق مركبات على يد المستوطنين خلال هجومهم على مصنع الجنيدي ومحيطه قرب قرية دير شرف، شمال غرب #نابلس. pic.twitter.com/vnEuouRuDs

— شبكة فلسطين للحوار (@paldf) January 8, 2026

The suspects were taken for questioning at the Ariel police station, the joint statement says, adding that the IDF, Border Police and the Shin Bet are continuing searches in the area and investigating the incident.

While arrests in such cases are rare, indictments and convictions are even less common.

Security forces say they condemn violence of any kind and will continue to act to maintain public order and security in the area.