Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes in Hebron

Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in the Old City of Hebron late on Saturday, according to Palestinian news agency Wafa.

Jewish settlers in the southern city of the occupied West Bank rampaged down Shallala street, hurling stones at the homes of Palestinians and damaging their properties. 

Shallalah street is regularly attacked by settlers, who are protected by Israeli occupying forces.

Videos on social media from there often show the Israeli army using tear gas and live rounds against Palestinian residents of Hebron. 

Clashes with the occupation forces in Al-Shallala Street, Hebron. pic.twitter.com/10I8BMmaLf

— laela karem🇵🇸✊ (@dx_d0) April 1, 2022

Hebron, called al-Khalil in Arabic, is home to 200,000 Palestinians and 800 extremist settlers who have occupied the city since Israel took control of the West Bank in 1967. 

Israeli settlers largely occupy Shuhada street, close to the Ibrahami mosque in the centre of the Old City. 

Violence in Ramadan

Israeli violence during the holy Muslim month is fresh in the minds of Palestinians observing fasts this year. 

Last year, Israel launched a brutal crackdown on peaceful protests and prayer gatherings in Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque - which resulted in Hamas firing rockets into Israel.

An Israeli bombardment of Gaza - which Hamas runs - led to 250 Palestinians being killed, including dozens of children.

All year round, Palestinians throughout the West Bank are regularly at the receiving end of intimidation and violence from Israeli forces and Jewish settlers.

In 1994, a US-born Israeli military physician walked into the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron armed with a Galil assault rifle and opened fire, killing 29 worshippers and injuring over one hundred others. 

Palestinians are routinely banned from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque, while far-right Israeli activists and settlers are also allowed to march and attack Palestinians throughout the West Bank, often without consequences.