HEBRON, February 23, 2026 (WAFA) – 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 said that armed colonists chased Haytham Ayed Murr close to Ad-Dakika locality in Yatta wilderness, and assaulted him, inflicting bruises across his body.

He added that the colonists stole Murr’s sheep and destroyed his mobile phone.

One of the armed assailants attempted to attack the inhabitants of Huwara locality, one of the communities making up Masafer Yatta, and released his livestock to graze on Palestinian farmers’ crops.

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.