Rubio says Israeli settler violence in West Bank could undermine Gaza peace deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank, reiterating condemnations made by Israel's president and senior military officials. The statements followed an arson attack by dozens of masked Israeli settlers in West Bank villages, where they also attacked Israeli military and police. While Israeli officials called the attackers a "fringe" group, such condemnations are rare and typically only occur when Israeli soldiers are also attacked. Settler violence has reportedly increased to an almost daily basis since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023.