By Awad al-Rujoub
RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - A Palestinian was killed Saturday and 15 injured by Israeli settler gunfire in the northern occupied West Bank.
The official Palestinian news agency, WAFA, identified the deceased victim as Ahmed Assi, 38, who was killed in a settler attack against the town of Qarawat Bani Hassan, west of Salfit. It said Assi was left to bleed to death because settlers and Israeli forces did not allow medics to reach him.
WAFA said that the settlers were protected by Israeli forces during their rampage.
Qarawat Bani Hassan Mayor Ibrahim Assi told Anadolu that the settlers attacked homes and vehicles and Israeli forces were present to protect the settlers.
Tensions have been high across the West Bank since fighting broke out Oct. 7 between Palestinian groups and Israel in Gaza.
A total of 253 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since Oct. 7 in addition to more than 3,100 injured, according to the West Bank-based Palestinian Health Ministry.
*Writing by Ahmed Asmar