Masked Israeli Man Assaults Palestinian Woman in Hebron Hills

A masked Israeli man was filmed assaulting a Palestinian woman with a club in the Masafer Yatta area of the southern Hebron Hills on Friday. The assailant, believed to be a local shepherd, was seen confronting residents in Area C, which is under Israeli control. Israeli military officials stated that forces responded to the scene but the suspect had already fled and had not been apprehended as of the report. Police have opened an investigation into the incident.

Masafer Yatta's villages are unrecognized and located in Area C. The Israeli military declared the area a firing zone in 1980, and eviction proceedings for the villages have been ongoing for years. This incident follows a report from last week where a masked Israeli settler was filmed assaulting a Palestinian woman with a club near the village of Al-Markaz.

Separately, Palestinians reported clashes last week between Israeli forces and settlers and local residents near the village of Fiqou, close to Jenin. According to reports, forces arrived following a dispute between settlers and locals. Footage from that event showed a Palestinian being shot in the leg. Palestinian reports also claimed Israeli forces seized a local home after the incident.

The Israeli military commented on the Fiqou incident, stating that a report of friction between Israeli civilians and Palestinians was received. An IDF force at the location fired into the air and toward a Palestinian. The military added that the incident was being investigated by commanders and its findings would be transferred for review by authorized officials.