Israeli regime president Isaac Herzog has warned that escalating settler terrorism against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank could spark a civil war, describing the attacks as organized criminal activity amid growing concerns over the increasing influence of extremist settlers within the Israeli military.

In an urgent letter to prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Netanyahu, minister of military affairs Israel Katz and top military officials, Herzog warned on Thursday that settler violence in the West Bank could spiral into civil war: "We are a step away from disaster."

The warning came following meetings with Israeli military commanders, soldiers and police officers who briefed him on the deteriorating security situation in the occupied West Bank.

Herzog also warned that the possibility of settlers turning their weapons against the regime’s personnel could have explosive consequences, potentially plunging Israeli society into civil war.

He reportedly described the violence as a “moral disgrace and stain on us” and called for widespread administrative detention to confront those responsible.

The developments comes amid an escalation of settler terrorist attacks on Palestinian communities, homes, vehicles and agricultural lands, particularly during the annual olive harvest.

Palestinians have reported arson, shootings, physical assaults and intimidation as part of a broader campaign to drive indigenous residents from their lands and facilitate Israeli settlement expansion.

Israeli forces have repeatedly been seen standing by while settlers attack Palestinian civilians, destroying property and setting homes and vehicles ablaze. In numerous cases, soldiers have participated in or provided protection for the attacks.

The growing influence of extremist settlers within Israeli military units operating in the occupied West Bank has further intensified concerns over the military's role in the violence and its failure to protect Palestinian civilians.

Herzog sent copies of his letter to Katz, chief of staff Eyal Zamir and attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara, insisting that "there was no place for lawlessness."

His intervention also highlights the stark disparity in the Israeli regime's treatment of settlers and Palestinians accused by Israel of violence.

In November 2024, Katz ended the use of administrative detention against Israeli settlers, despite the continued application of the measure against Palestinians.

At the time, approximately 3,432 Palestinians were being held under administrative detention, compared with just eight Israeli settlers.

The policy allows individuals to be detained without charge or trial through renewable six-month orders, with some Palestinians spending years in Israeli prisons and detention facilities.

Israeli military sat on distress calls over settler violence for two hours: Report

The Israeli military sat on distress calls it received from activists about settler violence in the occupied West Bank for two hours, according to a report.

Herzog's warning exposes growing concerns within Israel over the consequences of settler terrorism, the increasing influence of extremist elements within the military and the deepening divisions surrounding the occupation of Palestinian land.

While the Israeli president has warned of the threat of civil war, Palestinians continue to bear the brunt of the violence through killings, displacement and the destruction of their communities.

Escorted by the occupation forces, settlers have increased their attacks against Palestinian farmers since Israel launched a brutal aggression against Gaza in October 2023.

The assaults involved abducting and beating Palestinians, forcing them off their lands, stealing their crops, and uprooting their trees.