A group of angry Israeli settlers forcefully entered a Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Friday, causing chaos by shooting and setting homes and vehicles on fire. This violent act resulted in the death of a Palestinian man and injuries to 25 others, as reported by Palestinian health officials.
The incident is part of an escalating situation in the West Bank, coinciding with the ongoing war in Gaza. According to an Israeli human rights group, the settlers were searching for a missing 14-year-old boy from their settlement. Following the rampage, Israeli troops continued their search for the teenager.
This tragic event occurred after an Israeli operation overnight resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians, including a member of Hamas, during a confrontation with Israeli forces.
Reports from Palestinian health officials indicate that more than 460 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since the conflict began in October.
According to the Israeli human rights group Yesh Din, the settlers raided the village of al-Mughayyir late Friday in search of the missing Israeli boy. The group reported that the settlers resorted to violence by shooting and setting buildings on fire in the village.
Videos shared by the rights group depicted scenes of burning cars and gunfire amidst dark smoke. A photo posted by the group showed a group of masked settlers present during the attack.
The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that one man was killed and 25 others were injured. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that eight of the wounded individuals were struck by live ammunition fired by settlers.
The deceased man was later identified as 26-year-old Jehad Abu Alia. His father, Afif Abu Alia, expressed uncertainty about whether his son was shot by an armed settler or an Israeli soldier.
Israel unveils big West Bank land seizure as Antony Blinken visits
Israel unveils big West Bank land seizure as Antony Blinken visits
Afif Abu Alia, speaking from a hospital in Ramallah, mourned his son’s death, stating, “My son went with others to defend our land and honour, and this is what happened.”
Mohamed Mustafa, the new Palestinian prime minister, condemned the attack that led to the loss of life.
The Israeli military confirmed the search for the missing 14-year-old boy and mentioned that soldiers responded to Palestinians hurling stones by opening fire. They also stated that Israeli settlers were evacuated from the village.
The military assured that the violent unrest had been contained, with no Israeli civilians remaining in the town.
US officials, including President Joe Biden, have expressed concerns about the rise in settler violence towards Palestinians in the West Bank during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Rights groups have criticized the military for not effectively stopping settler violence or holding soldiers accountable for their actions.
Earlier on Friday, two Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli forces in the northern West Bank, as confirmed by Palestinian medical workers and the military. Hamas reported that one of the deceased was a local commander.
The military stated that the focal point of their operation was Mohammed Daraghmeh, a local Hamas commander, who was killed in an exchange of fire with Israeli soldiers after weapons were discovered in his vehicle.
The army alleged that Daraghmeh was planning attacks on Israeli targets but did not provide evidence. They also mentioned that assailants had thrown explosives at soldiers.
