Israel Police Investigate Attack on Diplomats in West Bank; No Arrests Made

Israeli police are continuing their investigation into the attack on European diplomats in the West Bank village of Taybeh on Saturday, but no suspects have been arrested as of Sunday morning. A special investigation team is gathering evidence and collecting testimonies. The Judea and Samaria (Shai) district of the police has contacted the Foreign Ministry to request that it approach the diplomatic missions of the diplomats' home countries to obtain detailed testimonies, photographic materials, and access to examine their vehicles for forensic evidence. Cooperation from these representatives has not yet been received. Investigators aim to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved in the attack. The investigation into the Friday assault on a Washington Post photographer is also ongoing, with the Shin Bet intelligence agency assisting in intelligence and operational efforts to uncover the identities of the perpetrators. To expedite the investigation, additional investigators have been assigned, and they are working alongside the Shin Bet. In parallel, the IDF has established a new Border Police company, which has been in training since August. This company will operate under the command of the Judea and Samaria Border Police and will focus on handling and preventing nationalist crime incidents. A senior police official criticized the IDF's operational presence in the West Bank, stating that more troops are needed to manage friction points and prevent a complete loss of control. The IDF responded that its forces are deployed and reinforced, but acknowledged that at least 10 more battalions would be required for constant presence at all locations. Separately, senior rabbi Dov Lior issued a religious ruling permitting harm to Palestinians harvesting olives, claiming the land was never legitimately purchased by Arabs. A senior military officer condemned Lior's ruling as a disgrace to Judaism and Israel.