3 Children Injured and Widespread Settler Attacks Target Agricultural Lands in the West Bank

A Palestinian vehicle was subjected to a violent attack by a group of settlers on Monday evening while passing near the 'Shilo' settlement, which is built on citizens' lands south of Nablus city. Local sources reported that the settlers intercepted the vehicle and pelted it directly with stones, resulting in injuries among its occupants.

The assault resulted in varying degrees of injuries to three children who were inside the vehicle. A 14-year-old child sustained a head injury from a stone, and his condition was described as moderate. Two other children suffered minor injuries due to flying shattered glass fragments, and all were transported to the Sinjil Medical Center for necessary treatment.

In a parallel escalation, settlers set fire to vast areas of olive-planted agricultural lands between the towns of Turmus Ayya and Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah. Eyewitnesses stated that the fire consumed a large number of ancient trees in the area amidst desperate attempts by residents to control the blaze.

Israeli army forces intervened in the area to provide protection for the attacking settlers after citizens confronted them and forced them to retreat. Instead of extinguishing the fire, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian civil defense teams from reaching the site, which led to the expansion of the fire and increased material losses.

Nablus Governorate was not spared from these attacks, as settlers set fire to agricultural lands in the village of Duma, south of the city. The fires were concentrated near the village entrance, causing damage to dozens of olive trees, which constitute a primary source of livelihood for Palestinian families in that rural area.

In eastern Ramallah, farmers reported that settlers destroyed agricultural crops by releasing their livestock to graze on private citizens' lands. This step is part of a systematic policy to pressure farmers and force them to abandon their lands in preparation for their seizure for settlement expansion.

West Bank cities and villages have witnessed an unprecedented escalation in settler and army attacks since the start of the aggression on the Gaza Strip in October 2023. These attacks vary between direct killing, arrest, and the daily destruction of infrastructure and private and public property.

According to official data published by the Government Media Office, more than 1,168 Palestinians have been martyred in the West Bank since October 7th. Medical teams also recorded injuries to approximately 12,666 others, amid continued military incursions into Palestinian camps and cities.

Statistics also indicate the arrest of nearly 23,000 citizens in recent months, in addition to the displacement of 33,000 from their homes as a result of demolition policies and military pressure. These figures confirm the scale of the fierce attack targeting the Palestinian presence in all governorates.

Settler attacks continue under legal and military cover from the occupation authorities, which prevent residents from defending themselves or their property. Observers warn that giving settlers free rein in the Palestinian countryside will lead to further security and humanitarian deterioration in the region.

Occupation forces stormed the area to provide protection for the settlers and prevented civil defense teams from reaching the fire site to extinguish it.