Hamas hailed Tuesday’s deadly ramming and stabbing operation near the Gash Etzion settlement south of Bethlehem as a “heroic” and “natural response” to the escalating Israeli aggression in the occupied West Bank and al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Hamas declared in a November 18 statement: “Our people have the right to resist the occupation and counter its crimes and violations, and this operation is the inevitable result of the occupation forces’ persistent attacks on our people, lands and sacred sites.”
The Palestinian resistance group Islamic Jihad echoed this sentiment, calling the operation “a response to the crimes that settler gangs and occupation forces continue to commit against our people.”
Both groups praised the operation, but neither claimed responsibility.
Israeli media reported that two Palestinians drove their car into a group of settlers before stabbing them, killing one settler and injuring three others.
The Israeli military said two Palestinians were shot dead at the scene.
The incident comes amid a surge in settler-Zionist violence, including riots in the village of al-Jabua near Bethlehem on Monday, where settlers set fire to houses and vehicles. It is part of a broader wave targeting Palestinian communities as illegal settlements expand.
Hamas has warned that continued attacks, destruction and annexation will lead to further conflict, and has urged international intervention in response to Israel’s violations.