Dozens of Israeli settlers stormed into a Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, resulting in the death of a Palestinian man and injuries to 25 others. The settlers were reportedly searching for a missing 14-year-old boy from their settlement, leading to a violent rampage that included shooting and setting houses and cars on fire. The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions in the West Bank following Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip. The killing of the Palestinian man came after an Israeli raid overnight resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians, including a Hamas militant.
The Israeli human rights group Yesh Din reported that the settlers entered the village of al-Mughayyir in search of the missing Israeli boy, engaging in destructive behavior such as shooting and setting houses on fire. Videos posted by the rights group showed the chaos and violence unfolding in the village, with dark clouds of smoke rising from burning cars and the sound of gunshots echoing through the air. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that one man was killed, identified as 26-year-old Jehad Abu Alia, and 25 others were treated for injuries, with eight of them sustaining gunshot wounds.
The attack in the Palestinian village was condemned by the new Palestinian prime minister, Mohammad Mustafa, who expressed outrage at the violence perpetrated by the Israeli settlers. The Israeli army stated that they were still searching for the missing Israeli teen and confirmed that shots were fired in response to Palestinians throwing stones at soldiers. The army claimed that soldiers also cleared out Israeli settlers from the village and dispersed the violent riots, ensuring the safety of Israeli civilians in the area. United States officials have raised concerns about the surge in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Earlier on the same day, two Palestinians were killed in confrontations with Israeli forces in the northern West Bank, with Hamas identifying one of the deceased as a local commander. The Israeli military targeted Mohammed Daraghmeh, a Hamas commander, in a raid that resulted in a shootout and his death. The army alleged that Daraghmeh was planning attacks on Israeli targets and discovered weapons in his car during the operation. The conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October, has led to significant casualties on both sides, with Gaza facing a humanitarian crisis due to the prolonged violence and destruction.
The Israel-Hamas war has resulted in significant loss of life on both sides, with thousands of Palestinians killed and wounded during the conflict. Israel has claimed to have killed numerous militants during its military operations in Gaza but has faced criticism for its actions and the humanitarian impact on the civilian population. The United Nations has highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, with over a million people facing the risk of starvation due to the prolonged conflict and restrictions on aid distribution. Despite efforts to provide aid to the besieged enclave, challenges in distribution have hampered relief efforts, leading to a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
