RAMALLAH, Saturday, September 23, 2023 (WAFA) – Israeli settlers continued in their daily attacks against Palestinian herders today beating up two shepherds while attending to their sheep in the pastures near the village of al-Mughayyer, east of Ramallah.

Shahadeh Abu Elaya told WAFA that armed settlers from the illegal settlement of Shilo attacked him and his cousin, Atef, while their sheep were grazing in the open pastures.

He said the settlers were protected by soldiers.

Abu Elaya said the settlers regularly attack shepherds while herding in the open pastures and force them to leave the lands.

Yesterday, settlers attacked shepherds in Masafer Yatta area in the south of the West Bank and pepper sprayed a 4-year-old boy causing him burns on his face.

Meanwhile, settlers in the northern Jordan Valley’s Khilet Makhoul community prevented shepherds from accessing the pastures near their tents, according to rights activist Aref Daraghmeh.

He said this is the third day in a row the shepherds, who rely on raising livestock for a living,  have not been allowed to roam the open pastures with their sheep.

United Nations organizations said more than 1100 Palestinians who rely on herding have left their areas under pressure and due to violence from army-backed settlers.

M.K.