The IDF stated following last night's confrontation between settlers and Palestinians that "two Palestinians were reported retrospectively as killed as a result of gunfire and another Palestinian was reported killed by strangulation. The incident will be investigated immediately in the field by Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth together with representatives of the Judea and Samaria District police and Border Police. Following the incident, a criminal investigation has been opened." Maj. Gen. Bluth said that "this is an unacceptable incident. There is and will be no tolerance for civilians taking the law into their own hands. These acts are dangerous, do not represent the Jewish people or the State of Israel, they divert us from the mission of defense and thwarting terrorism and even undermine the security and stability in the area."