New Delhi, Jan. 28 -- Israel has pledged an investigation after two Italian security officers were held up by an Israeli soldier with an automatic weapon in the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli ambassador to Italy, Jonathan Peled, made the pledge Monday in Rome after he was summoned by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani over the incident, the Italian Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said it conveyed "strong disappointment and strong protest" and Peled "expressed regret for the incident" in addition to saying Israel would conduct "appropriate investigations."

Italy claims the two officers were stopped on Sunday near the city of Ramallah by an Israeli "linked to settler circles."

Israel's military says a soldier detained the officers in ...