Jewish settler extremists torch vehicles, vandalize Palestinian property in West Bank villages

The graffiti included the words "Revenge," "Happy holiday from the happy Jews," and "Regards to Bluth," an apparent reference to Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth.

Suspected far-right Jewish extremists caused extensive property damage in the Palestinian villages of Ras Karkar and Deir Abu Mashal near Ramallah overnight between Sunday and Monday, torching tractors, vehicles, and structures and spraying graffiti on buildings.

The graffiti included the words "Revenge," "Happy holiday from the happy Jews," and "Regards to Bluth," an apparent reference to Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth.

According to Palestinians in Deir Abu Mashal, Jewish extremists set fire to a vehicle and attacked a home with a family inside, attempting to set the house on fire.

The Israel Police's Judea and Samaria District opened an investigation overnight following reports of vehicles being torched and graffiti being sprayed in Ras Karkar and Deir Abu Mashal in the Samaria region, corroborating some of the reports.

Police and forensic investigators from the Judea and Samaria District were preparing to enter the scenes accompanied by IDF troops. Upon entering, they were expected to collect evidence and take testimony as part of the investigation. No details regarding suspects or arrests had been released at that stage.

Far-right activists allegedly damage Palestinian olive trees, steal olives

Before dawn, a group of far-right activists damaged the olive crop belonging to a resident of Sinjil and stole the harvested olives, Palestinians alleged.

They further claimed that IDF soldiers were present, assisted the activists and provided cover for their actions, according to footage circulating on Palestinian social media.

The incidents followed another attack the previous Thursday, when far-right activists raided the West Bank village of Rantis.

They set fire to three vehicles, completely burning them, and sprayed graffiti on the walls of homes in the village reading, "You shall rejoice on your holiday from the happy Jews," "Revenge of the souls," and "Revenge for Leiter."

IDF troops arrived at the village and called in police and Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) investigators.

IDF deploys troops throughout West Bank in attempt to prevent friction

The IDF assessed that the coming days would be particularly volatile in the West Bank due to the Sukkot holiday.

Central Command deployed large numbers of troops, primarily along major roads. One of the goals of the deployment was to prevent friction and Jewish extremism in the West Bank in the coming days, when hundreds of thousands of Israelis were expected to visit the area.

The Priestly Blessing ceremony was held at the Western Wall on Monday morning. At the same time, dozens of prayer services and visits were held throughout the day at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

The 98th Division headquarters began operating in the area on Sunday, assuming responsibility for the West Bank sector south of Jerusalem. The IDF also reinforced its troops in the West Bank over the previous 24 hours. In addition to the 23 battalions already operating there, troops were brought in from Lebanon and Gaza, including soldiers from the Egoz commando unit who had completed combat operations in the Ali Taher Ridge area several days earlier.