Dozens of Israeli settlers attack flashpoint West Bank village

Dozens of Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Qusra in the northern occupied West Bank on Saturday, according to residents and the military. The incident occurred after nearly three weeks of escalating tensions in the area, during which settlers had previously blocked supplies from entering Palestinian homes on the outskirts of the village near Nablus.

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a handful of villagers were doing work on a house when they were approached by a small group of settlers. The settlers then called for backup and returned with dozens more, adding that they had surrounded the Palestinians inside the house and began throwing stones.

Residents described how a small group of settlers initially approached villagers working on a house. The settlers then called for backup and returned with dozens more, surrounding the Palestinians inside the house and throwing stones. AFP footage from the scene showed dozens of Israeli forces deployed to the site.

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following reports that Israeli rioters had arrived in the area and that violent clashes had occurred, including stone-hurling toward Palestinians and additional civilians.

The Israeli military confirmed that soldiers and border police were dispatched following reports of rioters arriving and violent clashes, including stone-hurling. A military statement noted that forces identified dozens of rioters barricaded inside a Palestinian home with residents present and were aware of reports of Palestinian injuries. The forces worked to remove the settlers, separate the groups, and confiscate vehicles suspected of being used to reach the area, with these vehicles to be used as evidence in an opened police investigation.

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Upon their arrival, the security forces identified dozens of rioters who had barricaded themselves inside a Palestinian home while Palestinian residents were inside.

Violence by Israeli settlers towards Palestinians in the West Bank has been ongoing for years, with recent months seeing a surge in attacks. The occupied territory is home to over 500,000 Israelis living in settlements, which are considered illegal under international law, alongside approximately three million Palestinians. Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, at least 1,103 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers, according to an AFP tally based on data from the Palestinian health ministry. At least 48 Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations.

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The security forces strongly condemn all forms of violence.