Israeli settlers attack Palestinian village in northern West Bank

More than 100 Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Jalud in the northern occupied West Bank early on Tuesday, wounding three Israeli Border Police officers and burning two Palestinian homes. The Israeli military reported that the settlers were in the area overnight, blocking roads, burning tyres and throwing rocks at security forces. They also set fire to Palestinian buildings and vehicles, and damaged a security forces vehicle. Police arrested one individual and questioned two minors in connection with the attack.

The assault prevented soldiers from escorting a displaced Palestinian family back to their home in the village. The family had fled two months earlier following previous settler attacks. The Israeli military stated that the family had been displaced following several incidents of nationalist crime against them, and that the violence prevented their return.

The incident drew rare, strong criticism from Israeli officials. Approximately 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank alongside three million Palestinians. Israel has occupied this territory since 1967.