RAMALLAH: Israeli settlers rampaged through multiple Palestinian villages on Saturday and Sunday, smashing cars, setting fires, and wounding several men in the latest flare-up of violence in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported attacks in at least six communities on Sunday.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said at least three Palestinians in the village of Jalud suffered head wounds from beatings and were hospitalized after confronting settlers, who were also reported injured.
The violence came as Israel’s government presses ahead with new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Attacks by settlers have intensified alongside a broader surge in violence since the Iran war started.
The Palestinian people will remain steadfast on their land, holding on to their legitimate national rights despite all forms of terrorism and killing by the occupation forces and terrorist settlers.
The Palestinian presidency
Israel’s military said it responded to Israeli civilians carrying out “arson against structures and property, as well as engaging in disturbances in the area,” but did not report any arrests or indicate whether investigations were opened.
WAFA reported attacks in the villages of Silat al Dahr and Fandaqumiya, both near Jenin; in Jalud and Salfit, both south of Nablus; and in the agricultural regions Masafer Yatta and the Jordan Valley. Homes and cars were set ablaze, Palestinians were pepper-sprayed, and at least five people were wounded in the overnight assaults, which took place during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, the agency said.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported 25 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and soldiers this year as of March 15.
The Palestinian Authority has also documented a series of arson attacks, including on mosques, across the territory.
The rampage came one day after an 18-year-old settler was killed in a collision with a Palestinian vehicle in an area near two of the villages attacked.
Police said they were investigating the settlers’ claims that the collision was deliberate.
The Palestinian presidency condemned the latest terrorist attacks carried out by the settlers.
It stressed that the assaults constituted a serious escalation for which the Israeli government bears full responsibility.
The presidency emphasized that the killing of Palestinians, property arson, and acts of violence are organized and systematic, carried out under the protection of occupation forces and with the backing of the extremist right-wing government.
It emphasized that these actions aim to implement plans of annexation, racial expansion, and displacement, stressing the importance of activating and supporting popular protection committees.
The presidency highlighted the importance of strengthening the mechanisms of the Palestinian people’s resilience.
It stressed that the Palestinian people will remain steadfast on their land, holding on to their legitimate national rights despite all forms of terrorism and killing by the occupation and its terrorist colonists.
The presidency affirmed that security and stability in the region will not be achieved without a just solution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and international law.
The presidency praised the joint statement issued by the missions of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the EU, Ireland, Finland, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Sweden, and Switzerland, which strongly condemns the escalation of settlers’ terrorism and the violence carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinian communities.
The presidency described these positions as an important step that must be followed by practical and serious measures by the international community to stop these violations, hold perpetrators accountable, and protect the defenseless Palestinian people.
