Image Credits - Al Jazeera
On Monday evening, three Israeli settlers were injured by shooting near the city of Nablus. According to initial reports, the fire broke out near the Palestinian village of Burqa, a flashpoint area that has seen repeated clashes between settlers and Palestinians.
The Israeli army confirmed the incident and said that the injured settlers were evacuated to a nearby hospital where they are currently being treated. Their condition is known to be stable.
The incident happened around 20:30 local time. Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots and seeing a vehicle drive away from the scene. Israeli security forces quickly responded in the area, setting up roadblocks and searching for the perpetrators. The army is working with local police and intelligence units to try to capture the suspects, who are believed to be Palestinian militants.
This attack came as tensions escalated in the West Bank, where violence has increased in recent months. Israeli authorities condemned the attack and called it an act of terrorism. “We will not tolerate such acts of violence against our citizens,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said. Our forces are working tirelessly to bring the terrorists to justice and ensure the safety of all Israeli citizens in the area.
The Palestinian Authority has not yet made an official statement about the incident. However, local sources in Nablus expressed concern that the shooting could increase military operations in the region and further destabilize the already fragile situation.
Violence has increased in the West Bank, including colonial attacks on Palestinian villages and reprisals by Palestinian militants. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned of a possible further escalation and demanded restraint from all parties. The latest incident near Nablus underscores the volatile nature of the region and the urgent need for renewed efforts to ease tensions and restart dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.