Palestinian activist alleges 137 animals were taken in West Bank raid

Palestinian activist Osama Makhamreh said that more than 100 Israeli settlers entered homes and took 137 animals during a raid in the town of Main in the occupied West Bank. Makhamreh said Muaz Ahmad al-Hamamdeh was shot in the foot with live ammunition during the incident and that five members of the Makhamreh family were injured in beatings.

Palestinian activist says settlers took 137 animals in West Bank raid

Palestinian activist Osama Makhamreh said more than 100 Israeli settlers entered homes belonging to Palestinians, damaged property and took animals during a raid in the town of Main in the occupied West Bank.

Makhamreh alleged that the incident took place under the supervision and protection of Israeli soldiers. The activist said the soldiers helped the settlers' attack by opening fire indiscriminately, and that civilians were beaten and exposed to pepper spray.

Raid on three homes and removal of animals

Makhamreh said the attackers forcibly entered the homes of Muhammad Makhamreh and Yusuf Makhamreh after damaging property. He said the group then headed toward the animal pens and took 62 small livestock belonging to Yusuf Tayeh Makhamreh and 25 belonging to Muhammad Tayeh Makhamreh.

Makhamreh said the group later headed to the home of Anan Abd Rabbo Husniye and drove 50 animals belonging to the Palestinian woman toward the illegal Susya settlement, which he said was built on seized Palestinian land.

Palestinian young man shot with live ammunition

Makhamreh said gunfire opened by Israeli soldiers during the raid struck Muaz Ahmad al-Hamamdeh in the foot, wounding him with live ammunition. The activist said the injured young man would undergo surgery because of a fracture caused by the bullet.

Makhamreh said Israeli settlers also attacked residents of the town with pepper spray, adding that five members of the Makhamreh family were injured in beatings. The activist said this was not the first attack on Main, adding that hundreds of animals had previously been taken across Masafer Yatta and none had been returned.

Claim of increased raids in Masafer Yatta

Makhamreh alleged that, in addition to Main, the towns of Shaab al-Butum, Kuvavis and al-Rakiz were being systematically targeted. He said Israeli settlers released their livestock onto Palestinians' farmland and around their homes, damaging residents' livelihoods.

Makhamreh said these activities had spread as far as Area B of the West Bank, which is under the Palestinian Authority's administrative control, citing the Wadi al-Rakhim area south of Masafer Yatta as an example.

Makhamreh also said Yusuf Shanaran's home had been under siege by Israeli groups for 15 days. The activist said the family needed coordination with the Israeli army to enter and leave their home, adding that soldiers kept watch around the house around the clock and arguing that residents had been deprived of their freedom and security.

The Israeli army spokesperson has not yet responded to questions about the attack.

The administrative structure of the West Bank

Under the Second Oslo Accords signed in 1995, the West Bank was divided into Areas A, B and C. Administrative and security control of Area A, which makes up approximately 18 percent of the West Bank, was given to the Palestinian Authority.

In Area B, which covers approximately 22 percent of the territory, administrative control was assigned to the Palestinian Authority while security control was left to Israel. Administrative and security control of Area C, which constitutes more than 60 percent of the West Bank, was transferred to Israel.