Nablus, occupied West Bank /PNN/ 

Two Palestinians were injured on Thursday, one of them critically, in an attack by Israeli settlers near the Al-Juneidi factory outside the village of Deir Sharaf, northwest of Nablus, according to Palestinian medical officials.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its crews treated two men, aged 65 and 50, who were beaten by settlers near the factory. Both were taken to hospital for treatment, with one listed in critical condition.

Witnesses said settlers stormed the area around the factory, assaulted several Palestinians and set fire to a number of vehicles, causing extensive damage and spreading panic among workers and nearby residents.

An Israeli security source said three Jewish suspects were detained in connection with a vehicle arson incident in the northern West Bank as part of an ongoing investigation.

In an initial statement, Israeli authorities claimed that “masked Jews” entered the village of Beit Lid, north of the West Bank, and torched vehicles, noting that a Palestinian was seriously wounded. The statement did not provide further details about the attackers or confirm arrests.

Subsequent Israeli media reports, citing medical teams, said a Palestinian who was inside one of the torched vehicles suffered severe injuries. They added that the circumstances of the incident were still under review.

The attack comes amid a surge in settler violence against Palestinians and their property across the West Bank, often carried out under the protection of Israeli forces. Palestinian officials have repeatedly called for those responsible to be held accountable.