Palestinians confront Israeli settlers raiding Joseph's tomb in northern occupied West Bank

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Palestinians on Wednesday clashed with Israeli settlers who raided Joseph's tomb in the northern occupied West Bank.

Local sources told Anadolu that Israeli settlers were escorted by the Israeli forces to protect them during their raid on the tomb site in eastern Nablus city.

The settlers later performed Jewish rituals and prayers at the tomb, the sources added.

The settlers' raid on the tomb site triggered clashes with Palestinians who tried to close the roads leading to it by burning tires.

No injuries have so far been reported.

This is the first time settlers have raided Joseph's tomb since tensions flared on Oct. 7. Previously, they would conduct a raid every week.

Joseph's tomb, revered by both Muslims and Jews, has long served as a flashpoint for clashes between Palestinians and Israeli settlers.

Jews believe the site is the resting place of the biblical patriarch Joseph. Muslims, on the other hand, dispute this claim, saying Sheikh Yussef Dawiqat, an Islamic cleric, was buried there two centuries ago.

Tensions have been high across the West Bank since fighting broke out in Gaza on Oct. 7 between Palestinian groups and Israel.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 420 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank since Oct. 7, with over 4,500 others injured.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar​​​​​​​