Settler assaulted, seriously wounded in clash with Palestinians

An Israeli man was assaulted and seriously hurt on Monday evening in an apparent brawl with Palestinians near the settlement of Ma’on in the South Hebron Hills area of the West Bank, law enforcement and local authorities said.

According to the Hebron Hills Regional Council, the man in his 30s, a local shepherd, was hit over the head with a hoe.

The Magen David Adom ambulance service said medics were taking the settler to Beersheba’s Soroka hospital for treatment. He was listed in stable condition.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said one Palestinian was hurt in the brawl. His condition was not immediately clear.

The emergency service said settlers attacked the ambulance as it attempted to evacuate the wounded Palestinian for treatment, damaging its tires.

The Israel Police said officers arrived at the scene and arrested one suspect, who was reported to be the injured Palestinian.

Police described the incident as a brawl, but a security official told the Kan public broadcaster that some 30 Palestinians attacked two Israeli settlers in the area.

A video published several days later suggested the clash was sparked by settlers and was not a premeditated Palestinian assault on Israelis.

A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces told The Times of Israel that it was not directly involved in investigating the case, indicating the military did not consider the incident a terror attack.