Palestinian Medical Student Killed in West Bank Settler Attack

A Palestinian medical student was killed and five others were injured during an armed raid by Israeli settlers on the village of Huwwara, east of Qalqilya, in the West Bank. The incident occurred around 10:30 PM on Tuesday when armed settlers reportedly stormed the village, attacking homes and property. Villagers attempted to confront the settlers, leading to clashes that involved the Israeli military.

According to Amjad Basoulat, head of the Huwwara village council, the settlers came from a recently established outpost near the village. He stated that both settlers and the Israeli army opened fire during the confrontation, and the exact source of the fatal shot that killed Omar Muhammad Tabati, a second-year dentistry student at An-Najah National University, remains unclear. The five injured villagers sustained moderate to light wounds and are receiving medical attention.

Basoulat described Huwwara as a village of approximately 3,300 residents, surrounded by established settlements and the new outpost. He warned of escalating dangers due to continuous settlement expansion. The village has experienced repeated settler attacks since the start of the war, including arson and property damage, but this is the first fatality.

Despite the presence of dozens of villagers and ongoing efforts to form popular guard committees for protection, the attack proceeded. The main road to the village has been closed since the war began, and Israeli soldiers are currently stationed on its outskirts, contributing to a difficult security situation for residents.