OCHA condemns settlers attacks on Palestinian citizens

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OCHA) has condemned the escalation of settler attacks on citizens and their property during the period of 10-16 September. The bureau said in its report entitled the ' protection of civilians ' , issued today, said almost one-third of this week’s Palestinian injuries (8) were sustained in confrontations with Israeli forces, who were accompanying an Israeli group in the West Bank city of Nablus. During the reporting period, OCHA recorded at least ten settler-related incidents resulting in injury to Palestinians or damage to their property and another one affecting settlers. This is an increase in incidents compared to a weekly average of four in the past three weeks. Clashes took place in four other locations during the week, including the villages of Abu Dis (Jerusalem) and Beit Ummar (Hebron), and Al Jalazun refugee camp and Ofer checkpoint (both in Ramallah), after Palestinian youth threw stones at Israeli forces patrolling the areas. Nine Palestinians were injured. Two other Palestinians were injured during a weekly demonstration against the prolonged closure of one of the main entrances of Kafr Qaddum village (Qalqiliya), the report said. It added that on 17 September, Israeli forces shot and killed a 19-year old Palestinian man during clashes that erupted in a search-and-arrest operation in Jenin refugee camp.