Jerusalem, Israel – Israeli settlers carried out a violent attack on a village in the West Bank on Friday, leading to the death of at least one Palestinian man. The incident, described as one of the largest attacks by settlers this year, involved hundreds of armed settlers storming the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah.
According to Palestinian officials, the settlers set fire to several homes and cars during the rampage. Tragically, one Palestinian, identified as 26-year-old Jihad Abu-Alia, lost his life in the attack. The head of the village council, Amin Abu-Alia, confirmed his relative’s death and expressed sorrow over the loss, noting that Jihad was planning to get married soon.
Reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Health revealed that at least 25 others were injured during the assault, marking a level of violence not seen since similar incidents in other villages in the past. The settlers reportedly surrounded the village, with approximately 500 of them storming in after midday on Friday, instigating chaos and destruction.
Israeli security forces allegedly informed Palestinian officials that the settlers were searching for a missing 14-year-old Israeli boy when they launched the attack. Videos obtained from the scene depict a scene of chaos, with homes and cars ablaze, sounds of gunfire, and violent clashes between settlers and residents of the village.
Despite the violence unfolding, the Israeli military reportedly did not intervene to stop the settlers from attacking the village. Witnesses claimed that Israeli soldiers allowed the raid to continue, impeding ambulance access to the injured and preventing Palestinian residents from safely moving around the area. Additionally, settlers were accused of stealing approximately 70 sheep from the Palestinian village during the attack.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over the escalating tensions in the West Bank. Palestinian officials have condemned the attack and called for accountability for the violence perpetrated by the Israeli settlers. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as efforts are made to address the underlying issues contributing to such destructive acts in the region.