Hundreds of Israeli settlers have surrounded Palestinian villages and attacked residents across the West Bank, witnesses told Reuters. CNN. This happened after an Israeli boy missing from a settlement was found dead.
The body of 14-year-old Binyamin Achimair was found in the Malachei Ha'Shalom area. Israeli military officials said the boy was killed in a “terrorist attack.”
It is still unclear what the cause of death was, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not yet provided evidence that the case was in fact a “terrorist attack”. A CNN got in touch for more information.
Videos obtained by CNN show settlers setting fire to houses and cars in the village of Duma, southeast of Nablus. The images show heavy smoke filling the air, while settlers fired shots in the area. Witnesses said settlers broke into people's homes, resulting in clashes with Palestinians.
In a video recorded in Duma obtained by CNN one man described the situation as a “street war.”
Videos on social media show clashes between Palestinians and settlers in the villages of Deir Dibwan and Beitin, east of Ramallah. Palestinians are seen throwing stones at settlers and Israeli military vehicles firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The latest settler attacks come a day after a large-scale attack on the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, which left a Palestinian dead, during the search for Achimair. Around 25 other people were also injured in the stampede, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said authorities were looking for who killed Achimair.
“The abominable murder of the boy Binyamin Achimair, may God avenge his blood, is a serious crime. I send my deepest condolences to his family,” the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. “IDF and Shin Bet forces are on an extensive pursuit of the despicable killers and all those who cooperated with them,” he continued.
The prime minister said Israeli security forces carry out “intense operational and intelligence activities” in the area and in Palestinian villages and called on Israeli citizens to clear the way so they can “do their work without hindrance.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asked the public on Saturday (13) to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
“I appeal to the public to let the security forces act quickly in the hunt for terrorists – revenge actions will make the mission of our fighters more difficult – the law should not be taken into one’s own hands,” Gallant said in a post on X.
Videos obtained by CNN show an increased Israeli military presence at a checkpoint near the town of Sinjil, northeast of Ramallah.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said in a statement on Saturday that more than a dozen Palestinians had arrived at hospitals across the West Bank, most of them injured by gunfire.
Violence has increased in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem since the October 7 attacks. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah says at least 462 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or in settler attacks.
*With information from CNN's Lauren Izso and Chris Liakos.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
