Israeli army reinforces West Bank presence amid rising tensions

By Said Amouri

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army reinforced its forces Saturday in the West Bank in anticipation of potential clashes and unrest between illegal settlers and Palestinians.

The decision came after the army found a settler's body Saturday in the West Bank and claimed he was killed in an "attack.''

"The Israeli army has decided to reinforce its forces in the West Bank, fearing clashes and unrest between Jews (settlers) and Palestinians, following the killing of a 14-year-old boy,'' Israel's public broadcaster reported.

"The army's decision comes after clashes erupted between Palestinians and security forces in the villages of Al-Mughayyir and Duma near Ramallah, and after a number of Israelis attacked Palestinian villages and set fire to buildings, vehicles, and agricultural areas,'' it added.

Illegal settlers launched a massive attack Friday on the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah in central West Bank, resulting in the killing of a young man and injury of dozens of Palestinians, in addition to 40 homes and dozens of vehicles being torched.

The settlers renewed their attacks Saturday on several Palestinian villages and towns in Ramallah and Nablus.

Tensions have been running high across the West Bank since Israel launched a military offensive against the Gaza Strip after a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

While illegal settlers increased their attacks, the Israeli army escalated its operations, killing at least 463 Palestinians, injuring 4,750 and detaining more than 8,000, according to Palestinian sources.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul