PALESTINE / ISTANBUL

Illegal Israeli settlers on Wednesday evening attacked Palestinian shepherds in the "Masafer Yatta" area of "Hebron" in the southern West Bank, injuring four Palestinians and kidnapping three more.

Activist Osama Makhmara said in a statement that illegal settlers attacked shepherds in the Wadi Abu Shaban area and assaulted them, leaving several people with bruises and injuries."

He explained that the attack injured four Palestinians with bruises and contusions; two were treated on the scene, while the Israeli army detained a third injured person before he could be treated, and the fourth was taken to the hospital.

He added that armed illegal settlers dressed in military gear arrived at the site and fired live ammunition and stun grenades before abducting three Palestinians, the fate of whom is unknown.

Since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 8, 2023, Israeli army and illegal settler attacks in the West Bank have killed 1,132 Palestinians, injured about 11,700 others, and resulted in the arrest of approximately 22,000 people.

In addition to killings and arrests, Israeli army and illegal settler attacks have targeted homes and facilities, displacing Palestinians, and expanding settlements throughout the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which the international community considers occupied territory.