SALFIT, Tuesday, May 18, 2021 (WAFA) – Two Palestinians were injured by Israeli military gunfire as Israeli forces backed a settler assault in Burqin village, west of Salfit city, according to local sources.

They said that Israeli settlers, under the military protection, forced their way into the village to carry out attacks and vandalize property, sparking confrontations.

The villagers attempted to fend off the settler attack, but were met with Israeli forces gunfire, resulting in injuring two young men. The casualties, who were hit by rubber-coated steel bullets, were rushed to a hospital, where their condition was reported to be moderate.

Settler violence against Palestinians and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

Settler violence includes property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, attacks on vulnerable homes, among others.

There are over 700,000 Israeli settlers living in colonial settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

K.T./K.F.