The incident began when dozens of masked rioters stormed the Palestinian village, setting fire to vehicles, buildings, and shops belonging to local residents, despite visible police presence in the area. Security camera footage documented the perpetrators systematically targeting the village entrance before fleeing the scene.

Video: Footage of the Funduk clashes

Eyewitnesses reported that the shooting erupted following a confrontation between law enforcement and a group of Jewish youths, during which pepper spray was deployed against a police officer. The officer responded with what witnesses described as indiscriminate fire, joined subsequently by a soldier at the scene.

In the aftermath of the shooting, witnesses described the police officer as emotionally distraught, reportedly breaking down and saying: "What have I done?" and "Internal Affairs will deal with me now." While the officer did not provide medical assistance to the wounded, the soldier – though visibly shaken – participated in treating the injured.

The Police Internal Investigations Department confirmed Tuesday morning that investigators had launched an official inquiry into the incident. The officer involved has been placed under house arrest until Friday on suspicion of illegal discharge of his weapon and has been barred from entering police stations for eight days.

The violent events prompted a response from the Hamas terror organization, which called for "increasing resistance in all its forms."

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US pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led to a major change to the agenda of the special cabinet meeting held Tuesday with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in attendance, Israel Hayom has learned. 

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What was originally supposed to be a discussion on the rise of violence in Jenin and how to address it became a meeting on the violence of Jewish settlers. 

Officials told Israel Hayom they were surprised to learn of the change, which they said came following US pressure on Netanyahu as settler violence is gaining global criticism. 

Similar pressure was also exerted by the European Union on the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister's Office. 

Sources criticized Gallant, however, saying he was "more preoccupied with settler violence than Palestinian terrorism." Shortly before Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Gallant said he had met with the head of the Palestinian Authority's General Authority of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh and "harshly condemned" the recent violence. 

According to a Defense Ministry statement, "the two discussed the recent increase in terror incidents as well as the common need to calm the situation on the ground."

Gallant stressed that the Defense Ministry will act to thwart terrorism "wherever required" and emphasized the need to act against terror hubs that seek to destabilize the region. 

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The post Exclusive: US pressure leads to major change to cabinet meeting agenda appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Public Security Minister Omer Barlev faced backlash Monday from right-wing lawmakers after discussing the alleged settler violence against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland.

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Barlev told the senior American diplomat that Israel was working to tackle the phenomenon and was taking steps to bolster police presence in the area. He also added that efforts were directed to provide clearer instructions to Israeli troops on how to deal with attacks by Jews on Palestinians.

In response, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked took to Twitter: "You are confused. The settlers are the salt of the earth. The violence that is shocking is the dozens of cases of stone-throwing and beatings of the Jews that happen daily, and all this with the encouragement and support of the Palestinian Authority. I suggest that you talk about this violence with Madam Nuland."

Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana echoed Shaked's criticism and said settlers were "not violent, but pioneers. It is sad to see a security man rich in experience and years, get such a false and distorted narrative."

Religious Zionist Party leader Bezalel Smotrich joined the storm, and called Barlev "a bastard."

"Hundreds of thousands of heroic settlers suffer terrorism daily and pay dearly in blood and you despicably spill their blood and take part in a false and antisemitic campaign that slanders them," Smotrich tweeted. He also criticized Shaked for "making [Barlev] a minister."

Likud wrote on Twitter, "Omer Barlev, who justified this week terrorist attacks 'for personal reasons,' today defames Israel at a political meeting and speaks of 'settler violence' instead of the rise of the Palestinian terror wave. The Bennett government continues to go off the rails." The post was shared by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

On Tuesday, Barlev responded to the criticism by saying, "I understand that it is really difficult for some of you to look in the mirror and face [the fact] that extreme settler violence [has become an issue] on the international stage, with foreign governments taking an interest.

"I recommend that those who have difficulty [understanding this] drink a glass of water. I will continue to fight Palestinian terrorism as if there is no extremist settler violence, and extremist settler violence as if there is no Palestinian terrorism," he said.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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The post Public security minister in hot water for discussing 'settler violence' with US envoy appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Right-wing lawmakers expressed outrage Monday after left-wing activist Haim Shadmi sought weapons for civilians to protect Palestinians in Judea and Samaria against alleged settler violence.

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Addressing Knesset members, Shadmi said: "Give us the permission to use weapons. We'll do the work for the Palestinians. We won't hurt anyone. If you're not capable of doing the job, we'll save lives."

The remarks were made during the highly controversial "Stop Settler Violence" conference that was organized by MKs Mossi Raz (Meretz), Osama Saadi (Joint List), and Ibtisam Mara'ana (Labor) as well as the left-wing groups Breaking the Silence, Yesh Din and Peace Now. The Religious Zionist Party had unsuccessfully tried to get the event canceled.

"A red line was crossed today," Yesha Council chairman David Elhayani said with regard to Shadmi's comments. "A man was given the authority to incite terrorism in the Knesset against Jews. We call on Knesset members and ministers to condemn the incident and ensure that such conferences no longer receive a stage in the Knesset."

Interrupting the conference, MK Itamar Ben Gvir exclaimed, "Why talk about violence and not mention the murder that occurred yesterday? There is no mention of violence against settlers, soldiers, police officers."

Ben Gvir was referring to Sunday's terrorist attack, in which Hamas terrorist Fadi Abu Shahidam wounded four people and killed 26-year-old Eliyahu David Kay, a recent immigrant from South Africa.

Similarly, Shai Glick, CEO of Jewish rights group Betsalmo, filed a police complaint against Shadmi, saying his "remarks are clear incitement to violence and danger to human life. There is no doubt that as long as there are weapons in Shadmi and his friends' hands, there may be harm caused to the lives of the area's Jewish and Arab residents. We have all learned that words can kill.

"The true face of the extreme Left has been revealed. They speak of brotherhood, coexistence, and peace, but act with hatred. Had Shadmi been a rightist, he would have already been arrested."

Organizers of the "Stop Settler Violence" conference said: "We were pleased to see all Knesset members, ministers, organizations, and activists who participated in the conference against the raging settler violence as law enforcement turns a blind eye.

"The remarks made at the end of the conference by Haim Shadmi do not represent our stance in supporting a non-violent struggle and calling for ending the occupation peacefully.

"If only those who rushed to oppose his words had done the same when settlers used severe violent means against Palestinians and Israelis in recent weeks."

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