Hundreds of Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Village Near Nablus, Burn Homes

SARRA, West Bank – Hundreds of Israeli settlers launched a brutal attack on the Palestinian village of Sarra, southwest of Nablus, beginning Friday night. The settlers set fire to homes, vandalized property, and assaulted residents, forcing several families to flee the village in the occupied West Bank for their safety, according to villagers.

Witnesses reported that at least two homes were set ablaze, and some Palestinians suffered respiratory issues from inhaling smoke. Villagers attempted to confront the attackers and prevent further destruction. This assault follows a series of settler attacks in the Nablus region, occurring after a deadly attack in the city of Tell.

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The settlers numbered in the hundreds and attacked the house brutally, raining stones and firebombs on it. The courtyard and vehicles were set on fire.

Mohammed Turabi, a resident of Sarra, described the terrifying experience as settlers brutally attacked his home, throwing stones and firebombs. The courtyard, vehicles, and ground floor of his house were set alight, but his family managed to escape unharmed. "The settlers numbered in the hundreds and attacked the house brutally, raining stones and firebombs on it. The courtyard and vehicles were set on fire," he recounted.

Turabi stated that Israeli soldiers were nearby but observed the settlers' actions without intervening. Ahmad Sarrawi, a local official, characterized the settler attacks as organized and premeditated, noting that settlers had recently constructed dirt roads to facilitate access to Palestinian homes for their assaults. "The settlers came from the Havat Gilad settlement outpost and targeted houses on the outskirts of the village, burning several homes and vehicles very quickly and in large numbers," Sarrawi explained.

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The settlers came from the Havat Gilad settlement outpost and targeted houses on the outskirts of the village, burning several homes and vehicles very quickly and in large numbers.

Sarrawi added that villagers eventually confronted the settlers, preventing further damage and forcing them to leave. Umm Wahid, an elderly resident, shared her fear, explaining that she gathered her children nightly at her daughter's house due to fear of settler attacks. She described Israeli bulldozers approaching her daughter's home to uproot olive trees, followed by a large-scale settler assault from a nearby valley. "Seeing them attack in such large numbers, we decided to leave the house to protect the children. As soon as we left, they set the house on fire and then went to other houses in the village, breaking windows and damaging vehicles," she said, adding that one grandchild fainted from smoke inhalation and the children were terrified.

The violence occurred amid ongoing incitement campaigns by extremist groups.

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Seeing them attack in such large numbers, we decided to leave the house to protect the children. As soon as we left, they set the house on fire and then went to other houses in the village, breaking windows and damaging vehicles.