Civilians and journalists injured as settlers raid site near Nablus

A number of Palestinians, including two journalists who were covering the event, were injured early Thursday following confrontations with Israeli soldiers giving cover to extremist Jewish settlers who raided Joseph’s Tomb in the northern West Bank city of Nablus, according to Palestinian security sources.

The sources told WAFA that Israeli forces raided the eastern areas of the city to secure a passage for the settlers leading to clashes with the local residents that resulted in eight casualties, including the two journalists Mahmoud Fawzi, 33, who was hit by two rubber bullets, one near the left eye and the other in the left leg, and Ameer Isteitieh, 25, who was hit by a rubber bullet in the left leg.

The rest were also hit by the rubber-coated metal bullets in different parts of the body, including the head, and one, a 16-year-old, was injured after he was run over by an army jeep.

Jewish settlers often perform religious rituals at Joseph’s Tomb under heavy army protection that regularly lead to clashes between the local Palestinian residents and the army.