The Israeli government has issued a strong warning to the Palestinian Authority (PA), stating it would respond with "total war" if the PA launches an attack against Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank similar to the one conducted by Hamas in Gaza on October 7. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he have ordered the military to prepare for such a scenario, emphasizing that Israel would take severe measures against the PA if an attack is confirmed. Potential actions include the "assassination of high-profile individuals" or "evacuating residents from cities and villages where terrorist activities occur," comparing these steps to those previously used in Lebanon and Gaza. This warning came after reports of a knife attack by a Palestinian on a Jewish settler in the northern part of the occupied West Bank. The victim was hospitalized, according to Magen David Adom, Israel's emergency medical service. The attacker, who fled the scene, was later found during a large manhunt and killed by Israeli soldiers. There is no evidence that the Palestinian Authority, based in Ramallah, approved or supported this attack. Israel Katz reiterated the government's stance in the West Bank, known as Judea and Samaria in Israeli terminology, stating that the policy is to "relentlessly pursue Palestinian terrorism, develop and strengthen Jewish settlements, and maintain security stability." Netanyahu added that Israel will continue to "eliminate terrorists, pursue those who send them, and destroy terrorist infrastructure in Judea and Samaria." Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls the Gaza Strip, praised the knife attack and called for "intensifying resistance" against Israeli forces and settlers. The West Bank, which is occupied by Israel, is home to about three million Palestinians outside East Jerusalem, which Israel has annexed. Over 500,000 Israelis live in settlements throughout the region. Since the massive Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, tensions have risen sharply in the West Bank, with almost daily attacks by settlers and frequent Israeli military raids on Palestinian villages. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 1,105 Palestinians—both combatants and civilians—have been killed by Israeli soldiers or settlers since October 7. Israeli authorities report that at least 48 Israelis—civilians and security personnel—have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during military operations during the same period.