Bethlehem: Israeli occupation forces on Friday evening attacked Palestinian visitors at the Solomon's Pools, a tourist site located between Al-Khader and Artas, south of Bethlehem, according to a local source. The occupying forces reportedly stormed the site, deploying foot patrols and unleashing barrages of tear gas and stun grenades at visitors, leading to several cases of suffocation.
According to Palestine news and Information Agency, during the ensuing confrontations, soldiers intensively fired tear gas and stun grenades, closed off the site, and restricted the movement of Palestinians. The local source noted that the occupation forces and colonists have recently increased their incursions into the site, which have included attacks on Palestinian residents and visitors.
Approximately 1 million Israeli colonists are living in colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, actions that contravene international law. Israel refers to the occupied West Bank as 'Judea and Samaria' to support its territorial claims and to lend them historical and religious legitimacy.