RAMALLAH, Palestine

A Palestinian man was killed and his brother critically wounded Saturday after illegal Israeli settlers opened fire on Palestinians south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.

According to Palestinian activist Osama Makhamra, two brothers were shot by the settlers.

He said illegal settlers released livestock and cattle near homes belonging to the Shnaran family in the Wadi al-Rakhim area, prompting residents to attempt to drive them away.

The settlers then opened fire at close range, killing Amir Mohammad Shnaran, 28, after he was shot in the neck, while his brother Khaled Shnaran, 33, was critically wounded by a gunshot to the abdomen, Makhamra added.

Palestinian media, including Palestine TV, circulated video footage showing the initial moments of the shooting, including an illegal settler standing armed shortly before the incident.

The killing raises the number of Palestinians shot dead by illegal settlers since the beginning of this year to four, according to the WAFA News Agency.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers, the agency said.

Overall, 1,122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank since Israel launched its genocide on Gaza on Oct. 8, 2023.

The escalation has also resulted in around 11,700 injuries and the arrest of about 22,000 Palestinians, according to official figures.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul