The United States has imposed sanctions on extremist “Israeli” settlers on the same day that “Israel” launched a wide-scale attack on the West Bank that it claimed killed nine Palestinian fighters.

"Extremist settler violence in the West Bank causes intense human suffering, harms Israel's security and undermines the prospect for peace and stability in the region," US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

"It is critical that the government of Israel hold accountable any individuals and entities responsible for violence against civilians in the West Bank," Miller said.

The latest sanction targets included Hashomer Yosh, an “Israeli” group that has supported the unauthorized settler outpost of Meitarim Farm in the south Hebron Hills.

Volunteers from the group earlier this year fenced off a village whose 250 Palestinian residents had all been forced to leave, the State Department said.

In response, “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the move.

"Israel views with utmost severity the imposition of sanctions on citizens of Israel. The issue is in a pointed discussion with the US," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

The State Department also imposed sanctions against Yitzhak Levi Filant, who was accused of leading armed settlers in setting up roadblocks and patrols with a goal of attacking Palestinians.