On Friday, hundreds of armed Israeli settlers carried out a violent attack on a village in the occupied West Bank, causing significant damage and casualties, according to Palestinian officials. The incident took place in the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, where at least one Palestinian man lost his life due to gunfire from the settlers. The victim was identified as 26-year-old Jihad Abu-Alia, who was set to be married this summer.
Reports indicate that around 25 other individuals were injured during the attack, making it one of the most severe incidents involving settlers in recent times. An estimated 1,000 to 1,200 settlers surrounded the village, with approximately 500 of them storming it, blocking off all access roads in the area.
The settlers reportedly claimed they were searching for a missing 14-year-old Israeli boy, which led to the violent raid on the village. They set fire to homes and cars, looted property, and even stole around 70 sheep from the Palestinian residents.
Despite the chaos, the Israeli military did not intervene immediately, allowing the settlers to continue their assault on the village. Palestinian officials stated that Israeli soldiers not only failed to stop the violence but also restricted the movement of Palestinian residents and blocked ambulances from reaching the injured.
Videos from the scene show smoke rising from burning buildings, settlers throwing rocks, and the aftermath of the destruction caused by the attack. The situation escalated into clashes between the settlers and Palestinian villagers, resulting in a tragic loss of life and numerous injuries.
In response to the incident, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that 'violent riots were instigated in multiple locations in the area' following the search for the missing Israeli boy. The attack has sparked outrage and condemnation from various international organizations, calling for accountability and justice for the victims of this senseless violence.
