An Israeli soldier shot and wounded a Palestinian man in the leg on Saturday as settlers confronted villagers in the town of Faqqua in the occupied West Bank. The incident took place when a group of settlers reportedly entered Palestinian-owned land with their livestock, prompting residents to try to stop them.
Eyewitnesses stated that Israeli forces intervened and, according to men at the scene, opened fire at residents. Qassem Hussam, a Palestinian man in his mid-30s, was shot in the leg. Mohammed al-Sheikh, who was with Hussam, said they took him to hospital in a private car as an ambulance could not reach the area. The Palestine Red Crescent reported Hussam was in light-to-moderate condition.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed receiving a report of the incident and that one of its soldiers fired into the air and towards a Palestinian. The IDF stated that the incident is under review by commanders, and its findings will be forwarded to relevant authorities. The military is also investigating the soldier who fired, reportedly for a breach of army protocol.
This incident is the latest to raise questions regarding the Israeli government's ability or willingness to curb settler violence in the occupied West Bank, where attacks have continued to increase.