Palestinians say settlers and army partnered in West Bank raid that killed two
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Two Palestinians were killed and one injured during a raid by Israeli settlers and soldiers on Deir Jarir in the West Bank.
- Palestinians allege settlers, protected by soldiers, stole livestock, leading to a confrontation where villagers were shot.
- The incident is part of a pattern of escalating settler violence in the West Bank, with residents describing a "partnership" between settlers and the army.
Two Palestinians were killed and another injured in a violent raid by Israeli settlers and soldiers on the village of Deir Jarir in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian residents reported that settlers arrived late Sunday night, claiming to search for stolen livestock. Israeli soldiers and police soon joined the settlers, allegedly protecting them as they attempted to forcibly take villagers' sheep. When a crowd gathered, soldiers reportedly opened fire, killing two men and wounding another.
Saber Ajaj, a relative of one of the victims, Odeh Farajna, described finding him after he was shot through the chest. Ajaj stated, "This shooting was meant to kill." Family and friends of the deceased men detailed recurring attacks where settlers, allegedly backed by security forces, steal livestock from homes on the village outskirts.
The moment I put him in the car I knew that he was dead. This shooting was meant to kill.
"It's a partnership between the army and the settlers," said Adel Rashid, father of the younger victim, Abdul Adel Rashid Abu Mukh. Rashid reported that settlers stole 21 of his sheep on Sunday, with 50 more taken from another villager. Video footage reportedly shows a settler, escorted by Israeli Defense Forces soldiers, leading a sheep from a local house.
These raids occur amid a surge in settler violence in the West Bank, which Palestinians view as part of an accelerated land grab supported by Israeli government plans to endorse new settlements. Since October 7, 2023, seven people have been killed in Deir Jarir, with their portraits now displayed on village walls.
It’s a partnership between the army and the settlers.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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