Joe Biden to target Israeli settlers who attack Palestinians in West Bank

Joe Biden (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Joe Biden is expected to issue an executive order targeting Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been attacking Palestinians in the occupied territory, according to sources.

A senior administration official said the White House is expected to announce the order later on Thursday.

The US president has spoken out against retaliatory attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank since the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7.

He has pledged that those those responsible for the violence will be held accountable.

The executive order is expected to pave the way for sanctions on individuals who have engaged in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Attacks by Israeli settlers have intensified since the war started, and some Palestinians have been killed, according to Palestinian authorities.

Rights groups say settlers have torched cars and attacked several small Bedouin communities, forcing evacuations to other areas.