Israeli settlers, backed by occupation forces, assault Palestinians

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
1 Jun 2025 06:57
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Israeli settlers, backed by occupation forces, launch widespread assaults on Palestinians in the West Bank, as military raids intensify and May’s death toll rises to 18.

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Israeli occupation forces check the identification cards of residents of the now evacuated Palestinian refugee camp of Tulkarm who return to collect belongings before the destruction of their homes by Israeli occupation forces, in the occupied West Bank, occupied Palestine, on May 29, 2025. (AP)

Israeli settlers carried out a series of assaults on Palestinians across several areas of the occupied West Bank on Saturday evening, resulting in multiple injuries and heightened tensions on the ground.

According to local sources, dozens of settlers attacked the eastern entrance of the town of Deir Dibwan, attempting to storm the area. Residents responded by confronting the settlers, leading to several Palestinians sustaining minor injuries during the clashes.

Elsewhere, between the town of Ni’lin and the nearby village of Qibya, west of Ramallah, a group of settlers—under the protection of Israeli occupation forces—assaulted Palestinian civilians and forced them off their land. Ni’lin Mayor Yousef al-Khawaja told WAFA that settlers released their livestock into Palestinian farmlands, causing significant damage to crops.

Khawaja noted that Ni’lin has been repeatedly targeted by settlers from the illegal outpost built on Jabal al-Alam, on the town’s outskirts. He emphasized that these attacks are part of a wider campaign to intimidate Palestinians and seize more land.

Escalating raids and settler violence across the West Bank

Earlier on Saturday, Israeli occupation forces stormed several areas in the northern West Bank, including Nablus and Tulkarm, while settlers assaulted a Palestinian woman in Masafer Yatta, south of al-Khalil.

Israeli troops detained a young Palestinian man during raids on the towns of Attil and Deir al-Ghusoun in northern Tulkarm, and also raided the nearby village of Shufa. In Nablus, occupation forces stormed the town of Qabalan and raided homes, while opening fire on farmers in the agricultural lands of Salem.

Meanwhile, in Masafer Yatta, settlers from the illegal “Eschar Man” outpost violently assaulted Palestinian woman Dalal Awad in Khirbet al-Tuba. According to Palestinian media, the settlers chased her down, broke into her home, pushed her to the ground, and left her with severe bruises.

May death toll rises amid intensified Israeli aggression

According to the Palestinian Information Center, Israeli occupation forces and settlers killed 18 Palestinians in the West Bank during May alone. Additionally, 167 Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition or physical assaults carried out by settlers and soldiers.

The center also documented 557 arrests by Israeli forces during 1,160 raids conducted across the occupied West Bank throughout May. At least one Palestinian was also subjected to forced displacement during this period.

These figures underline the growing violence and repression Palestinians continue to face under occupation, amid a surge in settler attacks and systematic Israeli military operations.