Settler attacks and a U.S. call to refrain from demolishing homes in the West Bank

Israeli settlers continued their assaults on Palestinians and their properties in the occupied West Bank, especially in the city of Hebron to the south, while occupation forces stormed the Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in the city of Al-Bireh on Thursday evening, firing sound and gas bombs, and assaulted a young man before withdrawing without any reports of arrests.

Extremist settlers attacked the village of Susiya in Masafer Yatta south of Hebron, and a reporter stated that settlers assaulted farmers and uprooted olive trees before attempting to attack the homes of the residents. The village is subjected to repeated assaults aimed at seizing agricultural land and expanding settlement outposts.

A Palestinian child was also injured in the face during an assault carried out by settlers in the Khellet al-Natch area east of Hebron. Settlers attacked the area with stones and assaulted Palestinian homes, resulting in the child's injury, and he was transferred to the hospital.

On another note, 104 Democratic members of the U.S. Congress urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—wanted by the International Criminal Court for committing war crimes in Gaza—to abandon plans to demolish homes and a community center in the village of Um al-Khair in the West Bank.

The American lawmakers stated in their message that they are deeply concerned that any further actions by settlers or the government to destroy the village of Um al-Khair threaten the prospects for lasting peace, mutual security, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.

They added that the demolition orders not only threaten the vulnerable residents of the village but also risk further eroding support for Israel across the American political spectrum.

It is noteworthy that alongside the genocide in Gaza, Israeli assaults by the army and settlers in the West Bank have resulted in the martyrdom of 1,065 Palestinians and the injury of about 10,000 others, in addition to the arrest of more than 20,000 people, including 1,600 children.