Escalation: Four Palestinians and Two Israelis Killed

Armed settlers entered the West Bank village of Tell near Nablus and were confronted by residents in a field; video shows two armed men in civilian clothes and at least one soldier pointing weapons before a rush and scuffle. In the struggle a Palestinian seized a settler’s rifle and opened fire, killing Benayahu Mellet, 32, a settlement security guard; Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27, also died. Soldiers then shot and killed four Palestinian men, two brothers and two cousins from the Ramadan family. Two other Israelis and four more Palestinians were wounded.

Tell lies in Area B, where Israelis are barred from entering. A separate video shows Israeli forces firing on Palestinians who were already on the ground as more than a dozen shots ring out. The military prepared an extensive operation in the West Bank, deployed more troops, and launched raids and a manhunt around Nablus.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for more forces in the area and for demolishing the homes of the accused in Tell, seizing weapons, and revoking work permits there. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged evacuating Tell, Iraq Burin and Beit Furik and making them look like the refugee camps in Nablus and Tulkarm. Settlers attacked five nearby Palestinian villages the same day.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources