5 Palestinians detained for allegedly attacking Israeli settlers in West Bank

Five Palestinian suspects were detained for allegedly attacking Israeli settlers in the southern West Bank earlier today, the Israel Police says.

The police say they received a report from two settlers claiming to have come under rock throwing while shepherding near the illegal outpost of Maale Tidhar, leaving them with light injuries.

Israeli forces reached the scene soon after, and the Palestinian suspects fled to the nearby village of Sa’ir, according to the police.

IDF troops entered the Palestinian village and detained five suspects, who were handed over to the police.

After being questioned, the suspects were jailed as the investigation continues, police say.

Palestinian media outlets claimed that the settlers had attacked Palestinians in an area near Sa’ir first, before the army arrived and carried out the arrests.

Farming outposts have become a preferred tool for settler leaders in recent years, as they allow for the takeover of large swaths of land throughout the West Bank. They only require a small number of young settlers who use livestock grazing to clear areas of Palestinians.