BETHLEHEM, February 26, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli colonists Wednesday assaulted Palestinian shepherds in the wilderness of al-Maniya village, southeast of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, according to a local official.

Zayed Kawazbeh, head of al-Maniya Village Council, said that a group of colonists trespassed onto the villagers’ lands in the al-Maniya wilderness, attacked shepherds, and forced them to leave their farmlands.

He added that the assailants grazed their cattle on the villagers’ lands and set up two tents at the at-Ttina and Hajjar localities as a prelude to establishing a pastoral colonial outpost.

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

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

Approximately 1 million Israeli colonists are living in colonies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in violation of international law.

K.F.