Two Palestinians were killed, one of them an American citizen, in clashes with settlers north of Ramallah, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The IDF is investigating the reports.
The incidents apparently began when dozens of Palestinian terrorists and rioters slingshot and threw stones at a group of Jewish shepherds near Sinjil, injuring two of them and sparking further clashes, the IDF said on Friday.
Sources within the settler movement said Israeli left-wing activists accompanied the Palestinians.
In the attacks, equipment was burned and vandalized. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that the attack was planned in advance and was carried out with the goal of removing the farm.
Following the rock-throwing attack, clashes intensified, resulting in vandalism of Palestinian property, arson, physical confrontations, and additional rock throwing.
Explosives hidden in stone barriers to thwart security forces
Palestinian sources reported two deaths and several injuries, though these claims are under investigation by the IDF, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and Israel Police.
“Hamas and the Palestinian Authority organizations are spreading a blood libel against the settlers, while by all accounts this was a despicable and premeditated terror attack by Arabs of the area against a group of Jewish shepherds,” sources said.
One of the Palestinian killed was a US citizen, who was reportedly killed after being hit in the head with a club.
IDF, Israel Police, and Border Police units were deployed to the scene to calm down the situation. Riot control measures were employed, and the forces dispersed those involved.
According to the sources, the security forces dealt with a number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) hidden inside stone barriers to kill soldiers who came to the scene. There were no casualties from the explosions.
The sources also said that after speaking with security forces, there is no dispute over the sequence of events.
The US State Department said it was aware of the reported death of a citizen in the West Bank after reports had emerged.
Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing the local Hamas-run health ministry, claimed that Saif al-Din Kamel Abdul Karim Musallat, in his 20s, died after settlers beat him in an attack that also wounded many people in a town north of Ramallah.
Relatives of Musallat, who was from Tampa, Florida, were also quoted by The Washington Post as saying he was beaten to death by Israeli settlers.
“We are aware of reports of the death of a US citizen in the West Bank,” a State Department spokesperson said, adding the department had no further comment “out of respect for the privacy of the family and loved ones” of the reported victim.
Palestinian reports also indicated that the body of Muhammad Awad was found after he went missing for hours after settlers near Sinjil allegedly attacked him.