Two Palestinians were killed today (Monday) by gunfire from Israeli settlers in the village of Qiryat, located south of Nablus, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry. Local witnesses stated that an Israeli bulldozer had encroached on olive groves owned by the villagers, prompting some Palestinians to arrive on the scene to drive it away. According to a security source, initial information suggests that the Palestinians threw stones at the bulldozer, leading to escalating tensions and violence. Reports from Palestinian sources indicated that several vehicles were set on fire during these clashes.

The deceased were identified as 52-year-old Muhammad Taha Muammar, who was shot in the head, and 48-year-old Faheem Taha Muammar, who suffered a gunshot wound to his hip. The Palestinian Red Crescent has reported that three additional Palestinians were injured due to gunfire, including a 15-year-old boy who sustained a shoulder injury. In a separate incident on Friday, settlers were documented attacking Palestinians and Israeli human rights activists near the village of Qusra, resulting in injuries to four individuals, two Israelis and two Palestinians, who were later transported by ambulance for medical treatment.

This recent spike in violence comes amid ongoing tensions in the West Bank, with reports of settlers setting fire to homes and vehicles in various Palestinian villages. Just two days prior to this incident, settlers had torched buildings and vehicles in the Palestinian village of Susya in the West Bank. The situation reflects the ongoing cycle of violence and tension in the region, with the implications for both communities potentially escalating further if such incidents continue to occur during this sensitive period.