Police arrest first suspect in connection with violent settler incident in West Bank's Kusra

Jerusalem Post/Israel News/Defense NewsSettler leaders have condemned the violence, saying on August 13 that the attacks in Kusra "are not our way."Follow us on GoogleIsraeli settler extremists throw stones at a dirt road at the Palestinian village of Kusra, in the West Bank, in an attempt to block the movement of Palestinians and Israeli forces, August 12, 2026(photo credit: SCREENSHOT/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 11:23Updated: SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 11:54A West Bank resident was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the violent settler attacks on the Palestinian village of Kusra, the Israel Police announced on Thursday, marking the first suspect to be arrested in regard to the attacks.According to the police, the 19-year-old suspect was arrested following a joint investigation with the Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) involving the collection of testimonies and evidence using "various technological tools and capabilities."Police added that they aim to bring "everyone who took part" in the Kusra attacks to justice, noting that they plan to request an extension for the suspect's detention during his upcoming court hearing.The Palestinian village has been the site of several recent violent attacks by extremist Israeli settlers, with the IDF responding by declaring the area a closed military zone.Despite the designation, fifteen settlers entered the Palestinian village on August 15, though they did leave after the IDF arrived and explained the order to them, Army Radio reported at the time.Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Israeli settler who entered onto the property of Palestinian-American Loui Ridi, in Kusra, August 18, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/Ammar Awad)On Wednesday, an IDF commander was fired after he was filmed praying alongside Jewish extremists who had been involved in the Kusra attacks, with the commander's soldiers not punished for participating, as they believed they were following a lawful order.The attacks have been described as a siege on the village, leading to an increased response by the IDF.Settler leaders, Netanyahu condemn violent attacks in KusraSettler leaders have condemned the violence, saying on August 13 that the attacks in Kusra "are not our way."The leaders, including the heads of the Yesha Council and Beit El Council, warned that the attacks were seriously damaging to Israel and the settlement movement.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the attacks, describing them on Saturday as "harming Israel's standing in the world."His comments were followed by an interview with Channel 14's "The Patriots" broadcast on Sunday, during which Netanyahu claimed that the "small handful of young people" involved in the attacks face "all kinds of hardships from home."Corinne Baum, Shir Perets, Reuters, Yonah Jeremy Bob, and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.Follow us on Google