5 Israeli Settlers Arrested in West Bank Attack That Wounded 8-Month-Old Baby

Tensions aren't pausing for the holidays in the West Bank. FiveIsraeli settlers have been arrested for their alleged involvement in an attack on a Palestinian home that wounded an eight-month-old baby, escalating an already volatile situation across the occupied territory.

Attack Near Hebron and Police Response

The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that a group of armed settlers threw stones at homes in the town of Sair, north of Hebron, late on Wednesday. The infant reportedly suffered moderate injuries to her face and head. In response, Israeli police announced on Thursday that five settlers were arrested after receiving reports of "stones being thrown by Israeli civilians toward a Palestinian home."

Clashes Spread Across the West Bank

The violence wasn't an isolated incident. In Beit Furik, east of Nablus, a 17-year-old boy was shot and dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation during an Israeli army raid, according to Wafa. Israeli forces also demolished shops near occupied East Jerusalem and detained three Palestinians in Masafer Yatta following other settler attacks. Near Ramallah, another Palestinian man was wounded in a separate settler attack.

The Root of the Conflict: Illegal Settlements

Underlying these frequent clashes is the issue of Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law. According to the Israeli advocacy group Peace Now, about 700,000 settlers live in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem. Their presence on Palestinian land remains a primary obstacle to a lasting peace agreement.