Settlers wound three Palestinians, soldiers assault man near Nablus

Three Palestinians, including a child, were wounded by illegal Israeli settlers in two separate attacks in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, while a video released by media outlets showed Israeli soldiers assaulting a Palestinian man near Nablus. The incidents underscore escalating violence as Ramadan continues.

Shootings and Beatings

In al-Mughayyir village northeast of Ramallah, council head Amin Abu Alia told Anadolu that illegal settlers opened fire on residents, wounding two Palestinians. "The situation is bad. Gunfire is ongoing on the southern side of the village. There are two injuries—a child and a young man who was shot in the back and is in critical condition," Abu Alia said. In Masafer Yatta south of Hebron, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported a Palestinian man was beaten by settlers, with Israeli forces obstructing medical crews attempting to assist.

Soldier Assault Caught on Video

Footage shared by Palestinian media outlets later Saturday showed two Israeli soldiers assaulting a Palestinian man inside his vehicle in Beit Furik, east of Nablus. One soldier kicked the man and smashed the vehicle's window with his weapon. Beit Furik Mayor Aref Hanni identified the victim as Mohammed Al-Shouli, in his forties, who sustained minor injuries and bruises. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported Al-Shouli's vehicle was shot at before the assault. Wafa also said settlers attacked the Al-Dubbat neighborhood under Israeli soldier protection, with troops firing heavily as residents attempted to confront them. Earlier Saturday, the Red Crescent transferred a child to hospital after he was shot in the foot during an Israeli incursion into Beit Furik.

Escalating West Bank Violence

Violence has surged since the Gaza war began in October 2023, with 1,116 Palestinians killed, about 11,500 wounded, and nearly 22,000 arrested across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to Palestinian data.