Settlers launch multiple attacks on West Bank villages

Israeli soldiers stand guard during a weekly settlers’ tour in Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday. (Reuters)
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Updated 10 January 2026
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Settlers launch multiple attacks on West Bank villages

  • Armed raids, assaults continue against Palestinian residents under Israeli military protection

RAMALLAH: Armed Israeli settlers attacked the villages of Al-Mughayir, located northeast of Ramallah, and Yabrud to the east on Saturday, according to local sources.

The sources told the Palestinian Wafa news agency that settlers stormed the Al-Qala’a area east of Al-Mughayir and fired live bullets at residents who confronted them, though no injuries were reported.
The sources added that Israeli forces stormed the area, deploying sound grenades and tear gas against residents, and spread throughout the old park of the village and near homes.
Also, settlers attacked residents near Yabrud, while two armed colonists trespassed on Palestinian-owned lands in Umm Safa, northwest of Ramallah.
Also on Saturday, settlers stormed the Bedouin village of Shalal Al-Auja, located to the north of the city of Jericho.
According to local sources, dozens of Israeli settlers raided the community, spread out among residents’ homes, and deliberately grazed their livestock on farmlands, causing massive damage to crops.
The attacks comes as part of a systematic policy targeting Bedouin communities, aimed at depriving the population of the most basic necessities of life and pushing them towards forced displacement.
Settlers attacked a young man from the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus, on Saturday as he was traveling along the road connecting the towns of Biddya and Saniriya, west of Salfit.
Local sources said that the group attacked Sharhabil Al-Tawil, assaulting him before seizing his vehicle.
A settler, under the protection of the Israeli army, grazed his sheep on Saturday on Palestinian-owned land in the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah.
Local sources said that the settler grazed his sheep in the southern part of the village before residents confronted him.
The sources added that Israeli forces then raided the area, fired live ammunition toward residents, and forced them to return to their homes to provide protection for the colonists.
According to AFP, Israeli forces arrested three suspects after dozens of Israeli settlers stormed an area near a West Bank village on Thursday, injuring two Palestinians and vandalizing property.
The army said that soldiers were dispatched after receiving news of “dozens of masked Israeli suspects vandalizing property in the area” of Shavei Shomron, an Israeli settlement near Nablus.
The settlers “set Palestinian vehicles on fire” and “attacked a Palestinian who was inside one of the vehicles,” the army said, adding that two Palestinians were injured as a result.

 


About 50,000 worshippers perform Taraweeh prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Updated 23 February 2026
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About 50,000 worshippers perform Taraweeh prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque

  • Palestinians are observing Ramadan amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank
  • Over 300 Jerusalemites have recently received Israeli orders prohibiting their entry to Al-Aqsa Mosque during the fasting month

LONDON: Nearly 50,000 worshippers performed the Isha and Ramadan Taraweeh prayers on Sunday evening at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the walled city of occupied East Jerusalem.

Thousands of Palestinians gathered at Al-Aqsa despite facing Israeli military checkpoints and strict identity checks at the mosque’s gates, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.

Palestinians are observing the fasting month of Ramadan, which began last Wednesday, amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, including attacks by settlers, and Israeli raids and arrests.

Over 300 Jerusalemites have recently received Israeli orders prohibiting their entry to Al-Aqsa during Ramadan, the Wafa news agency reported.

Israeli forces have increased their military presence in Jerusalem and restricted access to Al-Aqsa to children under 12, men over 55, and women over 50.

Since Wednesday, thousands of Palestinians have lined up to pass through military checkpoints, including Qalandiya and Bethlehem, in hopes of attending prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan.