Settler Violence Escalates in West Bank, Injuring Dozens and Damaging Property

Dozens of Palestinians, including a civil defense officer, a village council member, and an American journalist, were injured during settler attacks across the West Bank on Friday. The assaults, which targeted farmers and olive harvesters, involved beatings, property damage, and the burning of vehicles. Some individuals also suffered injuries from live ammunition and tear gas inhalation.

In the village of Turmus Ayya, northeast of Ramallah, settlers attacked farmers, beat residents, and set fire to three vehicles, one of which belonged to the Civil Defense. An American citizen was hospitalized after being beaten with a wooden object, and a Palestinian Civil Defense officer was also injured.

Further incidents occurred in the village of Burqa, east of Ramallah, where four Palestinians were injured by settlers targeting farmers. Settlers also pepper-sprayed a foreign journalist before leaving the area. In Abu Falah village, also northeast of Ramallah, settlers attacked farmers, solidarity activists, and journalists during the olive harvest. An American journalist, Heidi Levine, was injured and hospitalized, while a village council member, Abdul Jabbar Hassan, sustained a live bullet wound to the thigh. Eight others were injured from beatings, and several suffered from tear gas exposure.

The Israeli Police announced an investigation into the incidents in Turmus Ayya and Khirbet Abu Falah, citing suspected stone-throwing and arson. Police stated that evidence would be collected and witnesses interviewed, emphasizing the seriousness of violence, especially against journalists.

Settler attacks were also reported in other areas, including Taybeh and Rimon villages east of Ramallah, where olive harvesters were targeted. In Al-Mughayyir, settlers surrounded a home, and Israeli forces conducted overnight raids and searches in several villages. In Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, settlers attacked residents at night but were repelled without reported injuries. In the southern Nablus area, a family was assaulted with pepper spray, and property was stolen. In southern Jenin, settlers fired shots and sound grenades at homes in Arraba.

Separately, a young man was injured by live bullet fragments during an Israeli military incursion into Tulkarm. In the northern Jordan Valley, the Israeli Civil Administration issued a notice to halt work on an electricity line extension near the village of Marj Na'ja.