NABLUS / PNN /
Israeli settlers attacked several Palestinian villages in the Nablus and Ramallah areas on Friday, under the protection of Israeli forces, amid warnings of further assaults in the coming hours and days, Palestinian officials and local sources said.
The most severe attack was reported in the village of Sura, southwest of Nablus, where dozens of settlers stormed the area from its western outskirts, according to Sura Mayor Nu’man Abdullah. He said settlers assaulted a resident and set fire to at least two homes as villagers confronted them, triggering clashes.
Abdullah added that Israeli forces who later entered the village prevented residents from الوصول the affected area, while reports indicated additional homes may have been set ablaze.
The Palestinian Red Crescent said its crews treated a 45-year-old man who sustained bruises and injuries after being beaten by settlers. He was transferred to a hospital.
The attacks came as warnings circulated of calls by settler groups to carry out large-scale assaults on Palestinian villages in the coming hours. Palestinian sources urged residents to avoid travel between cities, stay away from bypass roads and areas near settlements, and exercise extreme caution.
In the nearby village of Tal, where an earlier settler attack reportedly left four Palestinians dead and two settlers killed, Israeli forces continued operations, deploying reinforcements and bulldozers that were seen leveling الأراضي where the initial attack occurred.
Sources said the reasons for the الأرض leveling were unclear, but suggested it could be linked to the possible establishment of military or settlement outposts following threats by settler leaders and Israeli officials.
In the Ramallah area, settlers closed an iron gate installed by the Israeli army at the entrance to the village of Atara, blocking residents’ movement, according to local sources.
Separately, Israeli forces, accompanied by an armored vehicle, raided the town of Deir Jarir, east of Ramallah. Witnesses said a tracked military vehicle led the incursion, supported by additional troops, with stun grenades fired during the operation.
Israeli forces had earlier announced plans to expand military operations across the West Bank, in line with decisions by the right-wing government to impose punitive measures in the territory.
In Qalqilya district, five Palestinians were injured in a settler attack on the village of Far’ata, east of the city. Local sources said settlers from the Havat Gilad outpost attacked the eastern part of the village using stones, sticks and live fire, setting fire to a carpentry workshop, two homes and agricultural land.
Four residents were wounded by live ammunition, while a fifth sustained a head injury after being struck by a stone.
Hebrew-language media reported that the largest operations were expected to take place in the Nablus area, alongside plans for a full closure of the West Bank as part of escalating Israeli measures.
