IDF soldiers and Israel Border Police forces were dispatched to the area of Qusra in Samaria following reports of violent clashes between Israelis and Palestinian Authority Arabs.
According to the IDF, during the incident several Israelis had thrown stones toward Palestinian Arabs and additional civilians. Upon their arrival, the security forces identified dozens of rioters who had barricaded themselves inside a Palestinian Arab home while its residents were inside.
The security forces who arrived at the scene initially operated to remove the rioters from the home and separate the groups, in order to protect the residents inside the house.
The owner of the house where, according to his account, the Israelis had barricaded themselves claimed that members of his family were attacked and that security forces handcuffed him and members of his household while responding to the incident. "They handcuffed us as though we were terrorists," he said. The IDF did not respond to this claim.
Footage published on social media shows masked individuals arriving in the area in pickup trucks. The circumstances surrounding the footage and the identities of those shown could not be independently verified. The IDF said the incident is under investigation and that all reports and allegations are being examined.
The security forces evacuated the Israelis from the scene and confiscated the vehicles they arrived in. The vehicles, along with additional evidence collected at the scene by the security forces, are being transferred to the Judea and Samaria District of the Israel Police as part of the police investigation that has been opened.
The IDF noted that at this stage, there have been no arrests, and the circumstances of the incident are under investigation.
"The IDF is also aware of reports of Palestinian injuries, including a Palestinian woman who sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was evacuated by the Red Crescent for medical treatment," a military statement added.
Separately, there have been reports that foreign journalists were attacked during an additional incident in Jalud.
"IDF soldiers and Israel Border Police forces continue to operate in the areas of Qusra and Jalud to prevent further disturbances and restore order in the area," the IDF stressed. "The security forces strongly condemn all forms of violence."
The Binyamin Regional Council stated: "In the afternoon, clashes broke out between Israelis and Arabs in the area of the villages of Qusra and Jalud in Binyamin."
"According to the Israelis, they had gone on a tour when they were attacked with rocks and clubs by dozens of Arabs from Qusra. Footage from the incident shows Arabs throwing rocks at the Israelis, while journalists from foreign media outlets can be seen behind them documenting the events.
"During the incident, a confrontation developed that included rock-throwing by both sides. Later, dozens of Israelis arrived at a house in Qusra where Arabs were present, and a confrontation broke out there as well.
"IDF and Border Police forces arrived at the scene, separated the sides, and removed the Israelis from the house.
"The Binyamin Regional Council condemns the violence that occurred during the incidents and calls on the security forces to investigate the rioters who were filmed throwing stones and bring them to justice."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded: "I strongly condemn the criminal acts of violence committed in the villages of Qusra and Jalud by a handful of rioters who are violating the law, causing a grave injustice to the law-abiding Jewish community, interfering with the IDF in carrying out its missions, and harming Israel’s standing in the world."
"The security forces acted swiftly, confiscated three vehicles, and brought the incident to an end within a short time.
"The IDF, the ISA, and the police are conducting a vigorous investigation on the ground, and I expect law enforcement authorities to arrest the rioters and bring them to justice as soon as possible."
President Isaac Herzog said: "I strongly condemn the severe violent events in Qusra. This is a crossing of a red line by lawbreakers who act in complete opposition to the laws and values of the State of Israel. It is another case in a sequence of events that constitute a stain on Israel's face and require firm and decisive action. I strengthen the IDF, which is doing its utmost. The government, security forces, judicial and enforcement systems must act with all tools and in full coordination to uproot this reprehensible phenomenon from the root and to bring the rioters to justice."