Stabbing near al-Auja follows deepening Israeli violence across West Bank

TEHRAN — An Israeli settler sustained moderate injuries Sunday in a stabbing operation near the Palestinian village of al-Auja in the occupied Jordan Valley.

The 24-year-old occupier was struck in the upper body along Route 90 outside a commercial complex before the Palestinian youth withdrew safely from the scene.

Emergency crews transferred the wounded settler to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in occupied al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Israeli forces immediately poured into the area, deploying helicopters, undercover commandos, and heavy military units to lock down al-Auja.

Troops established checkpoints along major transit routes, searched residences, and subjected surrounding Palestinian communities to strict collective closures.

The al-Auja operation appears to be a direct response to rampant settler violence and military escalation.

For 15 consecutive days, Israeli settlers backed by occupation troops have maintained an illegal blockade on three Palestinian homes in the Ras al-Ain area of Qusra, south of Nablus.

Settlers cut off water and electricity lines, blocked access roads, and prevented food deliveries to the trapped Abu Ridi and Hassan families.

Israeli forces converted one home into a military barracks and vandalized furniture by throwing it out of windows. Meanwhile, troops stormed eastern Nablus via the Awarta checkpoint, deploying between the Old and New Askar refugee camps.

Aggressive military raids and settler rampages continued across the West Bank on Sunday. Israeli forces detained six Palestinians in Qalqilya and five in Tulkarm during violent morning searches.

In the village of al-Minya, east of Bethlehem, illegal settlers uprooted olive trees and grapevines belonging to the Shalaldeh family.

These attacks follow the Friday execution of 58-year-old Fathi Khazem by Israeli forces inside his Jenin home, as well as the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Karim Sanad Shalaldeh by settlers in Sa’ir.

Since the beginning of the genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, Israeli military and settler attacks have killed at least 1,182 Palestinians in the West Bank, wounded over 12,000, and resulted in 24,000 detentions.

Washington continues to fund and arm Israel, granting diplomatic cover as Israeli officials push for the total annexation of Palestinian territory.

Extremist settler organizations operate with official impunity, establishing illegal outposts to fragment Palestinian towns and seize agricultural land.