Attack on Palestinian Village in West Bank Leaves Three Dead
Three individuals were killed in the occupied West Bank late on Wednesday after a violent confrontation between Israeli settlers and residents of a Palestinian village near Ramallah. According to reports from the Palestinian Health Ministry, the incident resulted in both casualties and significant property damage.
Residents of Kafr Malik, a village close to Ramallah, described the events that unfolded on Wednesday evening. They claimed that over 100 Israeli settlers entered the town, set fires to property, and shot at people who attempted to stop them. One of the injured, Munjed Nawaf Hamayel, shared his account of the tragedy. He revealed that his brother, Murshed, was shot dead by an Israeli soldier during the attack.
Hamayel stated, “We were surprised that the settlers started attacking the houses and burning the cars.” He added, “The soldier came from that direction and shot him.” According to Hamayel, the soldier saw that his brother had nothing with him.
The Israeli military confirmed that settlers had set fire to property in Kafr Malik and mentioned that five individuals were arrested. They also stated that their soldiers opened fire on Palestinians who had thrown rocks at them, resulting in some deaths and injuries.
Settlers Storm Village, CCTV Footage Shows Violent Attacks
Najeb Rostom, the head of Kafr Malik, reported that more than 100 settlers entered the town on Wednesday evening and engaged in acts of violence. The human rights organization B’Tselem released CCTV footage on Thursday showing Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank.
In one video, masked individuals were seen in the village of Taybeh brandishing sticks and throwing stones. A second video showed smoke rising and a car on fire in the town of Kafr Malik. Both incidents occurred on Wednesday. However, the Israeli army claimed they were not aware of the events in Taybeh.
Funeral for Victims Held Amid Rising Tensions
On Thursday, Palestinians held a funeral for three men who were killed in the attack. Mourners carried the bodies of Lutfi Bairat, Mohamed Alnaji, and Murshed Hamayel, chanting, “Listen, Zionists: Our people will never kneel.”
Tensions have been increasing in the occupied West Bank since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 people and the capture of around 150 individuals. Since then, clashes with Israeli troops, arrest raids, and attacks by Jewish settlers have become more frequent.
Settlements and International Law
Israeli authorities have established around 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, housing approximately 700,000 Jews. These settlements are considered illegal under international law. The continued expansion of these settlements has fueled ongoing conflicts and unrest in the region.
As the situation remains volatile, the international community continues to monitor the developments closely. Reports of settler violence and military actions against Palestinians highlight the deepening crisis in the occupied territories. With each incident, the need for accountability and a peaceful resolution becomes more urgent.
