A number of Israeli settlers today evening attempted to kidnap a Palestinian minor after attacking him in the village of Qasra, south of Nablus, according to security sources.

Sources told WAFA that a number of settlers raided the village of Qasra and attacked two minors, injuring one of them in the head, which necessitated his transfer to hospital for treatment.

Settlers also attempted to kidnap the other minor, however, he managed to escape.

Israeli forces reportedly stormed the village to provide protection to the settlers, leading to clashes.

WAFA correspondent said that four people sustained burn injuries, and at least 18 others were injured after being shot with rubber-coated steel bullets fired by the army.

Dozens also suffocated after inhaling tear gas used by the army against the village residents.

Settler violence against Palestinians and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

Settlement is a war crime according to the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The presence of settlers in the Palestinian territories violates the basic principles of international humanitarian law, said Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor.

“As they are responsible for settler violence, the Israeli authorities should put an end to double standards in dealing with events in the Palestinian territories and discourage settler violence by not protecting it,” it said.

Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA)