Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir sharply condemned recent settler violence in the West Bank, calling attacks against Palestinian civilians and Israeli soldiers 'morally and ethically unacceptable' and warning that they cause extraordinary strategic damage. Speaking during a visit to Central Command, he said a rise in nationalist crime incidents, some targeting soldiers, forces the military to confront threats from within during an ongoing multi front war.

His remarks followed an attack by extremist settlers on the Palestinian village of Mukhmas after authorities blocked an attempt to rebuild an illegal outpost. Footage showed assailants attempting to set fire to a chicken coop. Zamir stressed that the rioters do not represent the broader settlement community and instead endanger security, stability, and national values.

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett echoed the condemnation, urging supporters of the settlement movement to denounce violence and allow security forces to act. Other political figures, including centrist lawmaker Meirav Cohen, described the attacks as terrorism and warned that growing impunity has made such violence more organized and dangerous.

The West Bank has seen a surge in extremist settler attacks in recent weeks, with multiple Palestinian civilians killed since the start of March. Military officials cautioned that continued violence could spark wider escalation and divert forces from other critical security fronts, including efforts to counter Iran.