Palestinians Killed by Settler Fire Near Nablus, West Bank

NABLUS, West Bank - Two Palestinian brothers were shot dead by Israeli settlers near the village of Qaryut, south of Nablus, on Monday, according to Palestinian officials.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the deceased as Mohammed Taha Abdul Majeed Muammar, 52, who was shot in the head, and his brother Fahim, 47, who was shot in the pelvis.

According to Palestinian sources, settlers attacked homes in southern Qaryut, opening fire on residents.

The Red Crescent reported that its teams treated a 52-year-old Palestinian man with a gunshot wound to the head, another 47-year-old also with a head wound, a 30-year-old with a shoulder injury, and a 32-year-old with a knee injury. A 15-year-old child was also treated for a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

With the deaths of the Muammar brothers, the number of Palestinians killed by settler fire since the start of the year rises to three, and since October 7, 2023, to 39, according to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission. The commission noted a rise in settler attacks on Palestinian villages, towns, and gatherings in the West Bank.

Minister Muayyad Shaaban, head of the commission, stated that the escalating settler violence is taking place under the cover of war and regional tensions, allowing for systematic attacks against Palestinian citizens and the forceful imposition of new realities on the ground. He emphasized that this organized violence is carried out with the direct protection of Israeli occupation forces.