U.S. Sanctions Violent Settler Group in West Bank Amid Rising Tensions

The United States has imposed sanctions on Hilltop Youth, a violent settler group in the West Bank, citing repeated attacks on Palestinians and property destruction. The Treasury Department highlighted the group’s role in destabilizing the region and emphasized the adverse effects on peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis.

The United States imposed sanctions on Tuesday against a violent settler group in the West Bank that the Treasury Department said has repeatedly attacked Palestinians and destroyed their property in the Israeli-occupied territory.

"Through these violent activities, Hilltop Youth is actively destabilizing the West Bank and harming the peace and security of Palestinians and Israelis alike," Treasury said in a statement. The group has carried out killings, arson and other attacks to intimidate Palestinians and has devastated communities in the process, Treasury said.

"The worsening violence and instability in the West Bank are detrimental to the long-term interests of Israelis and Palestinians, and the actions of violent organizations like Hilltop Youth only exacerbate the crisis," said Bradley Smith, acting under secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

(With inputs from agencies.)