Suspected far-right settler extremists torched vehicles and structures and sprayed threatening graffiti in Ras Karkar and Deir Abu Mashal near Ramallah, with messages referencing Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth. Israel Police opened an investigation and forensic teams were set to gather evidence alongside IDF troops. Palestinians also allege activists stole harvested olives in Sinjil, with footage claiming soldiers were present. The incidents follow a recent raid in Rantis and come as the IDF reinforces the West Bank ahead of the Sukkot holiday.
Far-Right Settler Extremists Torch Vehicles, Vandalize West Bank Villages; Graffiti References Senior IDF Commander
A vehicle on fire at a Palestinian village in the West Bank, allegedly due to far-right Jewish extremists, September 28, 2026. (photo credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)
Suspected far-right Jewish settler extremists carried out coordinated vandalism and arson overnight in the Palestinian villages of Ras Karkar and Deir Abu Mashal, near Ramallah, torching tractors, vehicles and other structures and spraying threatening graffiti on buildings.
Attack Details
Residents said the attackers set fire to vehicles and attempted to ignite a home in Deir Abu Mashal while a family remained inside. Graffiti left at the scenes included slogans such as "Revenge," "Happy holiday from the happy Jews," and "Regards to Bluth," an apparent reference to Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth.
Investigation Underway
The Israel Police's Judea and Samaria District opened an investigation after receiving reports of torched vehicles and sprayed graffiti in Ras Karkar and Deir Abu Mashal. Police and forensic teams prepared to enter the scenes accompanied by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops to collect evidence and take testimony. At the time of reporting, authorities had released no details about suspects or arrests.
Far-right activists allegedly stealing Palestinians' olives in the West Bank, with IDF forces present, September 28, 2026. (credit: SCREENSHOT/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT)
Allegations Of Olive Theft And Army Presence
Palestinians also alleged that, before dawn, a group of far-right activists damaged and stole harvested olives belonging to a Sinjil resident. Footage circulating on Palestinian social media was said to show IDF soldiers present at the scene and allegedly providing cover for the activists; the claims were included in local accounts and remain under investigation.
Related Incidents And Security Response
The overnight events followed a separate raid the previous Thursday in Rantis, where attackers set fire to three vehicles and sprayed similar graffiti on homes. IDF troops subsequently arrived in Rantis and called in police and Shin Bet investigators to examine the scene.
With the Sukkot holiday under way, the IDF warned of an elevated risk of friction in the West Bank and deployed additional forces, including the 98th Division headquarters and reinforcements drawn from units in Lebanon and Gaza. Commandos from the Egoz unit, which had recently completed operations in the Ali Taher Ridge area, were among those moved into the West Bank. One stated objective of the deployment was to prevent clashes and curb Jewish extremist activity while hundreds of thousands of Israelis were expected to visit the area.
Note: Reporting indicates investigations are ongoing and some claims—particularly those based on social media footage—have not been independently verified by authorities.
Sarah Ben-Nun contributed to this report.
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