WEST BANK, (Palestine Foundation Information Center) Israeli settlers launched a series of attacks on Palestinian communities in Jericho, Salfit, and al-Khalil on Saturday, while Israeli occupation forces (IOF) carried out multiple military raids across the West Bank, escalating the already volatile situation on the ground.
In the early hours of the day, settlers released their livestock near Palestinian homes in the village of Shalal al-Auja, north of Jericho, a tactic frequently used to damage farmland and intimidate residents.
Shalal al-Auja and other communities in the Jordan Valley face near-daily assaults by settlers and IOF, which Palestinian officials say are part of a broader campaign to force Palestinians off their land.
In Salfit, settlers stormed the village of Farkha and cut down at least 15 olive trees belonging to residents Adel Yassin and Fathi Al-Ashqar. The destruction of olive trees, vital to Palestinian livelihoods, is a recurring method of settler violence intended to undermine the local economy and displace communities.
Meanwhile in al-Khalil, dozens of settlers entered the town of Samu under military protection and performed religious rituals in several locations. IOF soldiers closed roads and physically assaulted Palestinian residents during the incursion.
IOF soldiers also raided neighborhoods in al-Khalil’s Wadi al-Hariya district, vandalizing homes belonging to Ruhi al-Atrash and Thib Shahin.
Elsewhere in the governorate, IOF set up a military checkpoint at the entrance to Nabi Yunus and stormed the nearby town of Beit Ummar.
Further north, in the Ramallah area, IOF units raided the town of Abwein, confiscated vehicles from residents, and erected a checkpoint at the eastern farm junction. In Jenin IOF soldiers stormed the Jabriyat neighborhood and raided the home of Ata Abu Rumaila. IOF soldiers also raided the village of Qaryut, south of Nablus.
