๐ข Israeli settlers attack home of Palestinian-American man in the occupied West Bank, torch three cars
Israeli settlers attacked the home of 78-year-old Palestinian-American Mustafa Zaater and his wife overnight in Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to three of his vehicles, smashing doors and windows, and attempting to enter the house while the couple were inside.
Zaater told Drop Site contributor Mutasem Sqf ElHait that dozens of settlers, some carrying weapons, approached from the northern and southern sides of the area at around 1:30 a.m. He watched the attack through security cameras installed around his home.
โThey want to drive us out of here,โ Zaater said. โThis is our land and our property. Weโre not going to give it to them and leave.โ
Abu Falah village council member Omar Hamayel said neighborhood watch members initially encountered three settlers near the house and shone flashlights at them, prompting them to retreat. He said a larger group subsequently gathered, set fire to olive trees and grass, and advanced toward the house.
โThey burned three cars, smashed doors, and smashed the windows,โ Hamayel said.
Residents eventually gathered in large numbers and pushed the settlers back, Hamayel said. He added that Israeli forces arrived after the settlers had withdrawn, and fired tear gas toward gathered residents and Civil Defense crews.