Three Palestinians Killed in Israeli Settler Attack on West Bank Village

Three Palestinians were killed and multiple properties were set on fire after a violent attack by Israeli settlers on the village of Kafr Malik in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian authorities. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night, was captured in video footage showing a burning car and home, as well as residents fleeing amid gunfire.

The Israeli military stated that its forces were deployed to the scene after receiving reports of clashes between settlers and villagers, including stone-throwing. Soldiers reportedly returned fire after several individuals identified as "terrorists" opened fire and threw stones, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinians. Five Israelis were also arrested during the confrontation.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, describing it as a "terrorist assault" and accusing settlers of firing at villagers inside their homes. The ministry further alleged that Israeli forces hindered ambulance crews from reaching the wounded and blocked fire crews from entering the village for several hours.

This incident is part of a broader escalation of violence in the West Bank, which has intensified since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The United Nations has recorded 487 settler attacks resulting in casualties or property damage in the first four months of 2024 alone, with at least 181 Palestinians injured in these incidents.

Human rights organizations have criticized the Israeli military and police for frequently failing to intervene during settler attacks on Palestinian communities. Settlement expansion has also surged under the current right-wing government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with 49 new settlements approved since late 2022.

In a separate incident on the same day, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and killed by Israeli forces in the town of al-Yamoun, near Jenin. The military claimed that "terrorists" had thrown explosive devices at its forces during an operation, prompting the fatal response.

The UN reports that at least 949 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since October 7, 2023, amid intensified military operations targeting Palestinian armed groups. The situation has drawn international concern, with calls for urgent intervention to prevent further escalation in the region.