Israeli settlers escalate attacks on Palestinians amid West Bank settlement plan

Israeli settlers have been ramping up their attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, amid plans to build thousands of illegal settlements aimed at further entrenching Israel's control over the area.

Jewish settlers raided the Kisan village east of Bethlehem, threatening a resident with violence to leave his home, which is a tent-like structure, within 24 hours, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. The settlers also threatened to burn his house and harm his family. The resident's previous home was destroyed by settlers a month ago.

Kisan and the surrounding areas have faced repeated settler attacks, land seizures and their farmers being assaulted under the protection of the Israeli army. Armed settlers in another incident also raised tents near the Jordan Valley.

At the same time, a 59-year-old Palestinian woman, a child, and a young man from the same family were injured after Israeli settlers raided a town north of Hebron.

Sources told Wafa that settlers from an illegal outpost attacked Palestinians while also being protected by the Israeli army. They also threw stones at the residents, threatened to kill them and tried to steal their properties and harvest.

Israeli settlers also burned Palestinian vehicles in Ramallah, sources told Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army has been carrying an arrest campaign throughout the occupied region, storming towns in Hebron, Jenin and Ramallah and detaining residents.

A Palestinian boy was shot in his legs after Israeli forces opened fire near a town bordering occupied East Jerusalem.

This comes as Israel's plan to build thousands of illegal housing units in the occupied West Bank draws international condemnation.

Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich drew announced the plan, which would see 3,401 houses being built up in the E1 area of the Ma'ale Adumim settlement near Jerusalem.

The minister, who is also a settler, noted that the project will eliminate "the idea of a Palestinian state" and is part of the "de facto sovereignty plan" being implemented by the Israeli government.

The occupied region has seen a rise in Israeli army and settler attacks since October 2023, resulting in over a thousand deaths and almost 10,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons.