Three Molotov cocktails were thrown at a Border Police vehicle Thursday night in Judea and Samaria, after the officers within it had visited the illegal Kumi Ori outpost, near the settlement of Yitzhar, to deliver an injunction declaring the outpost a closed military zone.
One of the firebombs hit the armored vehicle but a statement from the Border Police said none of the officers were hurt and that the vehicle was only slightly damaged.
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The Border Police said it viewed the attack as a grave terrorist incident against its troops, calling it an "extreme escalation in terms of the violence against the troops who are working to enforce the law and protect the safety of the residents in the Yitzhar area."
Another defense official called the incident an attempted murder by Jewish terrorists against Border Police officers.
On Wednesday, Border Police troops halted an attempt by members of the outpost to build an illegal synagogue. Clashes broke out between the police and Jewish rioters at the site, who threw stones, burned tires and physically assaulted the officers. Five people were arrested.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced what he called a criminal act.
"I strongly condemn the incident of severe violence against Border Police that was carried out at night. This is a criminal act in every way," he said.
"It is a double crime" whose impact is magnified two-fold because it has occurred precisely as the Border Police and Israel Police are helping the country cope with the coronavirus, Netanyahu said.
Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said the "shameful and disgraceful" attack was unprecedented.
Such violence is "unacceptable" in any situation and for. any reason and certainly when it is directed against the security forces as they stand watch to ensure Israel's security, Bennett said.
"I have ordered the security forces to act in every necessary manner to bring these criminals to justice," Bennett said.
