Mona Saleh, a grieving mother-in-law, accused Israeli authorities of taking advantage of the world’s focus on the Gaza war to intensify colonization efforts in the West Bank. Her family has refrained from returning to their farmland following an attack by settlers that resulted in the death of her son-in-law. The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on Saleh’s allegations but noted that soldiers are required to intervene in instances of violence towards Palestinians by Israelis. The IDF spokesperson attributed the rise in Palestinian deaths in the West Bank to Hamas. The United Nations reported over 1,000 attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinians, displacing many. Israeli settlers, such as Yehuda HaKohen, see establishing settlements in the West Bank as reclaiming their ancestral land despite international criticism. Palestinian mayor Sayel Kanan highlighted the increasing settler attacks and accused the Israeli army of facilitating the seizure of Palestinian land. The UN declared Israel’s occupation of the West Bank illegal, prompting strong reactions from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The situation has led to heightened tensions and violence in Palestinian communities in the West Bank, with residents feeling threatened and oppressed by the presence of settlers and the Israeli military.
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