The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that security forces arrested eight men from the village of Ad‑Deqaiqa in the Masafer Yatta region south of Hebron after a confrontation with Israeli settlers. The detainees, identified by local anti‑settler activist Osama Makhamreh, were taken into custody following an incident in which settlers allegedly attacked residents and attempted to appropriate livestock.
In addition to the arrests, Wafa said that several Palestinians suffered respiratory distress after being exposed to pepper spray deployed by the settlers during the clash. The agency described the incident as a coordinated assault that left victims struggling to breathe.
The same report noted that a civilian ambulance was deliberately damaged by the settlers, hindering medical response capabilities in the area. The vehicle, which was reportedly on its way to assist injured locals, sustained visible damage that rendered it inoperable.
Further damage to private property was also documented. Settlers were said to have cut down guava trees belonging to Palestinian families, an act described by local sources as part of a broader pattern of intimidation and resource seizure.
The incidents occurred amid heightened tension in the West Bank, where frequent confrontations between Israeli settlers and Palestinian residents have been reported. Palestinian officials have condemned the actions as violations of international humanitarian law, while Israeli authorities have not released an official statement on the matter.
Human rights observers have called for an independent investigation into the alleged use of pepper spray, the destruction of medical equipment, and the destruction of agricultural assets. The situation remains fluid, with local leaders urging restraint from both sides to prevent further escalation.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/west-bank-eight-palestinians-detained-settlers-cut-guava-trees-cut.