Tensions rise in West Bank after settler violence
Reports say that dozens of masked settlers came to the cave-hamlet Khirbat al-Mufaqara, throwing stones at residents and breaking windows and cars.
In an especially violent incident, dozens of masked Israeli settlers entered the small West Bank Palestinian shepherding camp Khirbat al-Mufaqara on Sept. 28. Reportedly, the settlers threw stones at the residents, smashed cars, damaged water tanks and injured at least twelve people, including a three-year-old boy. The injured toddler, Mohammad Bakr Hussein, was reportedly hit in the head by a stone hurled by an Israeli settler as he slept in his house. He was evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba in moderate condition.
Apparently, the incident took place after settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd from the small village. Other Palestinians then arrived on the scene to push back the settlers, prompting the arrival of more settlers from nearby outposts. The Palestinian hamlet is located between two illegal Israeli West Bank outposts - Avigayil and Havat Maon. The settlers apparently came from these outposts.
Three Israelis were also injured in the clashes that erupted. One Palestinian man and one Israeli settler were arrested by Israeli troops who arrived at the scene. According to a police spokesperson, the Palestinian man is suspected of attacking a soldier; the Israeli is believed to have thrown stones and disobeyed soldiers’ instructions.
Basil al-Adra, who lives in a village nearby, said, “It must have been around 100 settlers, from all the outposts near al-Mufaqara. They smashed windows, punctured car tires, entered homes. And they injured a child as they hurled stones into his home.” Al-Adra recounted that the settlers went from one house to another, using knives and hammers to break windows. As they went into the homes, some of the residents fled, terrified.
