The United States today expressed its “deep concern” over the escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank and condemned the attack launched by dozens of Israelis on a Palestinian village.

“We are deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in the West Bank in recent months,” US State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters after earlier condemning yesterday’s attack that killed four Israelis near Jewish settlement of Eli.

He also spoke of “disturbing reports of extremist violence by settlers against Palestinian civilians, including the death of a child.”

“We equally condemn these acts of violence and express our condolences to the families affected,” he said, calling on the Israeli government to prosecute those responsible for the attack.

Nearly 200 Israelis entered the town of Turmusaya in the northern part of the occupied West Bank today, setting fire to crops and dozens of cars, residents said.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health spoke of one dead person who was hit by a bullet in the chest.

The State Department spokesman again called for “de-escalation” and reiterated Washington’s opposition to any “unilateral” measure aimed at expanding Israeli settlement activity in the Palestinian territories.

He also said a senior State Department official, Barbara Leaf, is in the area and is in contact with Israeli and Palestinian authorities in an effort to “restore calm.”