A Palestinian woman and members of an NBC News team were injured after they were allegedly attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank on Saturday.
The incident happened in the Palestinian town of Jalud, near Nablus, while four members of the news crew were interviewing Aida Ahmed Abdullah and her family.
Abdullah, 51, said settlers had forced her family from their home before the group headed towards the property with the journalists. As they walked down a hill, a vehicle with Israeli number plates reportedly reversed towards them.
At least four masked men then emerged from the car, allegedly armed with sticks and throwing rocks at the group. NBC News correspondent Matt Bradley said he was struck twice on the arm and later received treatment at a nearby clinic.
Abdullah was taken to receive medical treatment by the Red Crescent, while three other members of the news team were also treated for injuries. Her injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening.
Producer Lawahez Jabari said she saw one of the alleged attackers carrying a gun, although the weapon was not used during the assault. Camera operator Khaldoon Eid said the crew had not anticipated being attacked while reporting from the village.
Israeli security forces said they had received reports of violent clashes in the area, including incidents involving stones being thrown at Palestinians and other civilians.
According to the security forces, dozens of alleged rioters had barricaded themselves inside a Palestinian home while Palestinian residents were still inside. Forces said they removed the individuals and separated the groups to protect those in the property.
Authorities also confiscated vehicles belonging to Israeli individuals suspected of using them to reach the area. Israeli military and Border Police forces were continuing operations in Qusra and Jalud in an effort to prevent further disturbances and restore order.
The latest violence follows reports earlier this month that settlers had blocked supplies from reaching Palestinian homes on the outskirts of a village near Nablus, leaving residents trapped inside. The incident drew criticism from the United States ambassador.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned what he described as “criminal acts of violence” carried out by a small number of rioters. He said such actions harmed law-abiding settlers, obstructed the military from carrying out its duties and damaged Israel’s international standing.
The violence comes amid continuing tensions across the occupied West Bank, where Israeli forces remain active and settlers continue to operate in areas surrounding Palestinian communities.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Israeli forces or settlers killed 76 Palestinians in the West Bank in the year up to July 24. Three Israelis were killed during the same period.
