West Bank village counts losses after settler attack, and fears more

The Israeli settlers who rampaged through the West Bank village of Al-Mughayyer on April 12 came in greater numbers and carried more weapons than during any of the previous raids on the Palestinian community, residents said.

Days later, the aftermath of the attack lingers, with torched homes and cars scattered across the village. Residents recount hours of terror, lamenting the lack of intervention by Israeli soldiers.

With few means to defend themselves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, they fear more such assaults on the village.

“We have stones and they have weapons, and the army supports the settlers,” said Abdullatif Abu Alia, whose house came under attack. His roof was spattered with the blood of Palestinians wounded as they tried to repel the attackers with rocks. One of them, his relative Jihad Abu Alia, was shot and killed, he said.

“Of course, the aim is to force displacement,” he added.

During an escalation of tensions, settlers raided Al-Mughayyer and other Palestinian villages starting April 12. The unrest followed the disappearance of a 14-year-old Israeli.

The specter of future attacks looms large over the West Bank Village, casting a shadow of fear and uncertainty. With tensions escalating in the region, residents remain on edge, fearing the recurrence of violence and destruction. Despite the darkness, the community finds hope as they unite to rebuild and resist. They refuse despair and pledge to defend their land.
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