Bethlehem: Israeli colonists on Monday assaulted Palestinian shepherds in the wilderness of al-Maniya village, located southeast of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem. This incident was confirmed by a local official, Zayed Kawazbeh, who serves as the head of the al-Maniya Village Council.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, a group of colonists, with protection from the army, trespassed onto lands in the al-Maniya wilderness. They attacked shepherds and attempted to steal sheep, but the villagers managed to fend off the attack. During the confrontation, occupation forces detained three villagers, including two brothers. Kawazbeh noted a significant increase in attacks by colonists against Palestinian shepherds and farmers in al-Maniya in recent times.
Colonists' violence against Palestinians and their property is a routine occurrence in the West Bank. These acts are rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities. The violence often involves property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on vulnerable homes.
Approximately 1 million Israeli colonists reside in colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are considered a violation of international law.
