According to a report by Middle East Eye, a group of Israeli settlers entered the northern Hebron town of Halhul on Monday night and targeted residential properties in the Wadi Qaboun neighbourhood. The settlers, described as armed, were accompanied by Israeli security forces during the operation.
The incident involved physical assaults on several inhabitants of the area, with the settlers reportedly confronting residents inside their homes. The report notes that the presence of Israeli forces did not prevent the attacks, and that the settlers acted under the protection of the military personnel accompanying them.
In addition to the raid on private dwellings, Israeli troops established a temporary checkpoint at the main entry point to Halhul. The checkpoint was used to stop vehicles passing through the town, where soldiers conducted searches and inspected the identification documents of occupants.
Local authorities in the West Bank have not yet released an official statement on the events, and the Palestinian health ministry has not reported any casualties. The incident adds to a series of recent confrontations between settlers and Palestinians in the region, which have drawn criticism from international observers.
Middle East Eye highlighted that the settlers' actions occurred despite the presence of Israeli security forces, raising questions about the rules of engagement and the level of oversight exercised by the military in such operations.
The situation in Halhul remains tense, with residents expressing concerns over security and the potential for further escalations. Israeli officials have not commented on the specific incident, and no arrests or disciplinary measures have been reported as of the time of writing.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-settlers-attack-palestinian-homes-assault-residents-halhul-north.