HUNDREDS of Israeli settlers stormed into a Palestinian town in the occupied West Bank today, torching dozens of cars and homes.

The attack came in apparent revenge over the deaths of four Israelis killed by Palestinian resistance fighters the previous day.

The settler attack came as the Israeli military deployed additional forces across the occupied West Bank, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build 1,000 new settler homes in response to the deadly shooting.

The moves threatened to further raise tensions after days of deadly fighting in the occupied West Bank.

Residents in Turmus Ayya said that some 400 settlers marched down the town’s main road, setting fire to cars, homes and trees.

Mayor Lafi Adeeb said that some 30 houses and 60 cars were partly or totally burned.

At least eight Palestinians were hurt during the clashes, which the army tried to disperse by firing rubber bullets and tear gas. 

Tuesday’s shooting in the settlement of Eli came a day after seven Palestinians were killed in a battle against Israeli troops in the resistance stronghold of Jenin. 

Mr Netanyahu said that he had approved plans by his settler-leader-dominated government to build 1,000 new homes in Eli and said “our answer to terror is to strike it hard and to build our country.” 

Israel demolishes the homes of Palestinian attackers as part of a policy it says aims to deter others, but critics say the tactic amounts to collective punishment.

Hamas did not officially claim responsibility for the killing of the four Israelis, but identified the two gunmen, Mohannad Faleh, and Khaled Sabah, as its members.

At least 130 Palestinians and 24 people on the Israeli side have been killed so far this year.

Israel has been staging near-nightly raids in the West Bank which have been met with resistance by Palestinian fighters.