Duma resident describes armed Israeli settler attack

Barakat Dawabsha, a resident of Duma, south of Nablus, told Middle East Eye that more than 500 armed settlers attacked the village from the northern, western and southern sides, with full protection from the Israeli army.

He said that several people were wounded by live bullets, and dozens of homes and vehicles were burned. The settlers also attacked people with batons and stones, causing more injuries.

"The Israeli army is protecting the settlers. I saw with my own eyes one of the soldiers setting fire to a vehicle. The situation is very difficult and the people are trying to protect their homes and properties with their bodies," said Dawabsha.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said Israeli soldiers prevented its crews from entering the village to provide treatment to the wounded. An ambulance was eventually allowed to enter after three hours.

According to Dawabsha, dozens of Palestinian residents of the village haven’t been able to return to their homes since Friday evening due to closures imposed by the Israeli army on several villages south of Nablus and north of Ramallah as part of the search for a missing settler.

Dozens of vehicles and buses carrying settlers are still arriving at the entrances to Duma to participate in the fierce attack.