2 Palestinians injured in Israeli settler attack in West Bank

By Qais Abu Samra

BETHLEHEM CITY, Palestine (AA) – Two Palestinians were injured on Wednesday in an Israeli settler attack in the occupied West Bank, according to the Health Ministry.

A ministry statement said two Palestinians were beaten by settlers in the town of Barriyat Kissan, east of Bethlehem, and were admitted to hospital for medical attention.

Eyewitnesses said a group of Israeli settlers from the Ma'ale Amos settlement had attacked two Palestinian shepherds as they were grazing their sheep.

On Tuesday, the EU Representative Office for the Palestinians reported 849 settler attacks against Palestinians in 2022.

Tensions have been running high across the occupied West Bank in recent months amid repeated Israeli raids into Palestinian towns.

According to Palestinian figures, at least 91 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the start of this year. Fourteen Israelis have also been killed in separate attacks during the same period.

Estimates indicate about 650,000 settlers are living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar