Netanyahu Condemns West Bank Settler Violence As Gaza Strikes Kill 3 Palestinians

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned violence by West Bank settlers after fresh unrest in Qusra, as Israeli strikes and fire killed Palestinians in Gaza and Iran's leadership continued a hardline security reshuffle.

Netanyahu said a “handful of rioters” were committing criminal acts that harmed the law-abiding settler community and Israel's standing. His remarks came after more than two weeks of unrest in Qusra, where settlers have repeatedly targeted Palestinian homes.

On Saturday, masked settlers again attacked a Palestinian home, reportedly trapping seven people inside and throwing stones. Israeli forces intervened and used tear gas, according to Palestinian accounts. The Israeli military said it dispersed rioters and confiscated vehicles. No arrests were immediately reported.

The violence has also drawn unusually strong criticism from US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who described the settlers as “terrorists.” Separately, an NBC News crew and a Palestinian woman were attacked by masked settlers near Jalud. NBC correspondent Matt Bradley suffered an arm injury, while others were also hurt.

In Gaza, Israeli strikes and tank fire killed at least three Palestinians on Saturday, according to local health officials. Two people were killed in a strike on a motorbike in Gaza City, while a farmer was killed by tank fire near Deir al Balah. Three Palestinians were also wounded in an Israeli strike near the Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital compound. Israel said it targeted a Hamas commander operating near the facility.

Meanwhile, Iran's new leadership under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is signalling preparations for a prolonged confrontation with the United States. Khamenei has placed longtime security figures in key positions, including Mohsen Rezaei at the Supreme National Security Council and Hossein Taeb as head of the Basij.

On Sunday, Khamenei also issued a message urging Gulf rulers to identify what he described as their “real enemy,” while Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it had disrupted an Israel and US linked cell in southeastern Iran.

The wider region remains tense, with Gaza violence, West Bank settler attacks and Iran's hardline security posture continuing to shape the Middle East conflict.