Israeli settlers attack Palestinians in Burqa, injuries reported

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
24 May 21:46
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The attack comes shortly after a delegation from the European Union visited the village of Burqa, northwest of Nablus.

Grass burns in an olive field after Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters during a Palestinian protest against settlements, near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, October 16, 2020 (Reuters)

Al Mayadeen correspondent reported, today, Wednesday, that a group of illegal Israeli settlers attacked the people of the village of Burqa, northwest of Nablus, and burned down olive trees.

Two Palestinian youths were injured by shrapnel from live bullets, and dozens of others suffocated from poisonous gas.

lsraeli colonial settlers torch a Palestinian-owned barn in Burqa village, northwest of Nablus. pic.twitter.com/yjaoUBm4tt
— TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) May 24, 2023

The Palestinian official in charge of the settlement file in the northern occupied West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, told WAFA that settlers attacked citizens’ homes on the western side of the village of Burqa, burned a sheep’s barn and the surrounding lands planted with olives, and opened fire under the protection of Israeli occupation soldiers who, in their part, fired gas and stun grenades.

As a result, a Palestinian youth was wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the foot, another sustained wounds in the hand, and dozens of others suffocated.

Daghlas indicated that confrontations are still taking place in the town between the settlers and the residents who are confronting the attacks.

Earlier today, a delegation from the European Union visited the village of Burqa to witness firsthand the Israeli violations against the town.

The EU delegation included 20 representatives of European countries, consuls, and peace activists. They were received by the Mayor of Sebastia, Muhammad Azem, the Director of the Directorate of Tourism and Antiquities in Nablus, Abd Al-Salam Asia, the official in charge of the settlement file in the northern occupied West Bank, Ghassan Daghlas, and other national and popular figures.

During the visit, European Union Representative to Palestine, Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorff, affirmed that what is happening in the town is unacceptable in every way.

On his part, Daghlas spoke about the settlers’ terrorism that Burqa is subject to, expressing the Palestinians’ concern about the return of illegal settlers to the evacuated settlements, as well as other surrounding towns, which house 34 thousand Palestinians.

He said there are Israeli military posts scattered around the town, which raises concerns about the lives of children and parents, especially since students are targeted on their way from and to schools on an almost daily basis.

Daghlas added, "The suffering continues, day and night, as a result of the targeting of [Palestinian] residents with tear gas and bullets for over two years," noting that "in a month and a half, 30 attacks were recorded in and around the town, and citizens were prevented from entering their lands, despite Israeli courts decisions preventing the entry of Israelis, but the occupation army failed to implement any of them.”

He detailed how illegal Israeli settlers tried to burn 25 houses at the entrance to the town, stressing "the right to defend the land against the attacks that never stop, amid great concern for the lives of the citizens."

It is worth noting that the chief of the Israeli military’s Central Command inked an order, on Thursday, that permits illegal Israeli settlers to invade the "Homesh" illegal settlement built over the usurped lands of Burqa, near Nablus, paving the way for a formal illegal settlement to be built there, as per Israeli media reports.