The situation in the West Bank remains severe as Israeli settlers clash with Palestinians, resulting in six deaths. The settlers have also set fire to mosques, vehicles, and agricultural areas.
Foreign news agencies report that tensions in the West Bank have escalated continuously after extremist Israeli settlers attacked and set fire to two mosques, vehicles, and agricultural lands in several Palestinian villages.
Two days earlier, fierce clashes in the village of Tal resulted in four Palestinian and two Israeli deaths, with both sides accusing each other of provocation.
Israeli settlers attacked several villages overnight in retaliation, spray-painting the word “Revenge” on mosque walls and burning homes. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intervened to control the situation and used tear gas against Palestinians who set up barricades to protect their villages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced decisive measures, including plans to demolish the homes of two Palestinian suspects involved in the violence and to accelerate the establishment and recognition of additional Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Residents of Sarra village reported that at least six buildings were set on fire, with several others pelted with stones, forcing villagers to abandon their homes to protect their families.
A Palestinian-American man visiting family said he was attacked and injured in public by masked, armed settlers, requiring 12 stitches to his head wound.
The Israeli military (IDF) stated it deployed forces to suppress terrorism, arresting over 130 suspects and attempting to curb "nationalist crimes," but it faces criticism that Israel’s right-wing government supports settlement expansion.
Violence in the West Bank has intensified since the Gaza war began on 7 Oct 2023, with at least 1,114 deaths in the West Bank, mostly from IDF operations and at least 35 caused by Israeli settlers.
Meanwhile, 41 Israelis have died from attacks or during military operations.
Currently, about 700,000 Israelis live in settlements in the West Bank among 3.3 million Palestinians, with these settlements considered illegal under international law.
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Source:bbc