A military security site in the Benjamin region, north of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank, was set on fire and vandalized Sunday night by a group of Israeli citizens, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The site, part of the Benjamin Brigade’s operational infrastructure, housed systems used to prevent armed attacks and maintain regional stability. The IDF described the incident as a “direct threat to security”, warning that the damage endangers both soldiers and civilians in the area.

The attack occurred amid mounting tensions between the Israeli military and far-right settler factions, particularly following recent confrontations near Ramallah, where a 14-year-old settler was reportedly injured by army fire during protests.

According to local media, the protest outside the Benjamin base began with hundreds of activists, but escalated into violent clashes led by members of the “Hilltop Youth”, a radical settler group known for its confrontational tactics.

Protesters attempted to storm the military compound, prompting border guards to deploy stun grenades to repel the crowd. The IDF condemned the violence and called for the immediate prosecution of those responsible.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Immigration Minister Ofir Sofer both denounced the attack. Sofer warned that such actions threaten national security and internal cohesion, especially at a time of heightened regional instability.

The incident came just one day after six settlers were arrested for allegedly assaulting soldiers during a march toward the Palestinian village of Kafr Malik, further straining relations between the army and ultranationalist settler groups.

Analysts say the attack on the Benjamin base reflects a deepening internal rift within Israeli society, as the military faces growing resistance not only from Palestinians but also from Jewish extremists opposed to state authority.

The IDF has faced increasing criticism from settler groups over its handling of protests and its perceived restraint in the West Bank, where settler violence against Palestinians has surged in recent months.

The military has reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting all residents of the West Bank, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation.

The Benjamin region, historically associated with the ancient Israelite tribe, has become a flashpoint for settler-military tensions, particularly as Israel advances controversial annexation plans and expands settlement activity.

As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate and the West Bank remains volatile, the internal unrest among Israeli factions adds a new layer of complexity to an already combustible landscape.

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