Hebron:Israeli colonists on Thursday assaulted several Palestinians and set a vehicle on fire in the occupied West Bank governorate of Hebron, as reported by an activist.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Mohammed Awad stated that the colonists entered the Wadi al-Sheikh area of Beit Ummar town, north of Hebron, where they attacked a Palestinian. Instead of intervening to stop the attackers, Israeli occupation forces reportedly assaulted and detained the victim.
Armed soldiers also fired tear gas canisters towards Palestinian homes, igniting a fire that damaged part of a house. Local residents were able to put out the fire before it could spread further.
In Masafer Yatta, located south of Hebron, colonists attacked a Palestinian home in the Wadi Ajheish area and set a vehicle on fire. The perpetrators were identified as coming from an outpost established on Palestinian-owned land in Wadi al-Rakhim.
Further north in the town of Surif, colonists, with the protection of Israeli occupation forces, prevented farmers from accessing their land in Khallat Ghanim to harvest olives. Such violence by colonists against Palestinians and their property is a routine occurrence in the West Bank and is infrequently prosecuted by Israeli authorities. Acts of violence include property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on homes.
Approximately 1 million Israeli colonists reside in colonies across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which is considered a violation of international law.