The European Union has strongly condemned an attack by Israeli settlers on a group of visiting European diplomats in the West Bank, officials confirmed on Monday. The incident took place on Saturday amid a rising wave of tensions in the region.

According to witnesses, a convoy carrying the delegation was assaulted by a group of settlers, who also physically attacked a visiting French mayor. The EU’s diplomatic service issued a statement denouncing the violence and called for full accountability, emphasizing the need for effective measures to prevent further incidents targeting Palestinians, journalists, and foreign officials.

The statement highlighted concerns over ongoing violence during the olive harvest season, a period historically marked by increased friction between settlers and Palestinian farmers. The EU urged Israel to comply fully with international humanitarian and human rights law and to halt further settlement expansion in the occupied territories.

The attack follows a series of violent episodes in the West Bank. The day before, an American photojournalist was reportedly injured in an assault, drawing international attention to the worsening security situation. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also voiced concern over what he described as a brewing “crisis” in the territory, underscoring the fragile conditions on the ground.

Israel maintains that it is working to ensure security throughout the West Bank but has faced criticism from international bodies over settlement policies and the treatment of Palestinians. The EU’s call for restraint and adherence to legal obligations reflects broader international apprehension regarding the escalation of settler violence and its impact on the region’s stability.

The incident involving the European diplomatic delegation marks a significant escalation in tensions, occurring amid heightened sensitivities surrounding settlement activity and the often-volatile interactions between settlers, Palestinians, and international actors present in the area. Observers note that such attacks on foreign representatives complicate diplomatic efforts and raise concerns about the safety of international personnel engaging in the region.