Hebron: Armed Israeli colonists on Monday attacked a Palestinian shepherd and stole his sheep in Yatta wilderness, south of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, according to an activist. Osama Makhamra reported that armed colonists pursued Haytham Ayed Murr near Ad-Dakika locality in Yatta wilderness, assaulting him and causing bruises on his body.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the colonists not only stole Murr's sheep but also destroyed his mobile phone. Additionally, one of the armed assailants attempted to attack residents of Huwara locality, part of the Masafer Yatta communities, and released his livestock to graze on Palestinian farmers' crops.
Incidents of colonists' violence against Palestinians and their property occur frequently in the West Bank and are seldom prosecuted by Israeli authorities. The violence encompasses property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, and attacks on vulnerable homes, among other actions.
Currently, about 1 million Israeli colonists reside in colonies within the West Bank and East Jerusalem, a situation that contravenes international law.