Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened the Palestinian Authority (PA) with “full-scale war” after an Israeli settler was seriously wounded in a stabbing in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Army Radio said Monday (Sept. 7) that the 19-year-old settler was seriously wounded in a stabbing near the village of Usarin in Nablus governorate. A Palestinian suspect fled the scene by car after the attack, and Israeli forces launched an operation to capture him.
The Israeli military claims the man was shot dead after attempting to stab soldiers. Al Jazeera correspondent Laith Jar said several Palestinian villages in the West Bank were placed under lockdown following the incident.
Israel’s Channel 12 said the wounded settler had multiple stab wounds. He was taken to the hospital by helicopter and is in serious condition.
Following the incident, Defense Minister Katz warned that if Palestinian Authority security forces carry out an attack against Israeli soldiers or Jewish settlements similar to the Oct. 7 attack, or if confirmed information about preparations for such an attack is obtained, the military will be readied to launch a full-scale war.
Katz added, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have ordered the military to prepare to launch a full-scale war.”