Three Palestinians were killed and seven others wounded by live ammunition on Wednesday evening during a settler-led assault on the town of Kufr Malik, east of Ramallah, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The ministry confirmed that the casualties were the result of gunfire from both Israeli settlers and occupation forces during the attack. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that its teams treated five people with serious gunshot injuries in the town.

Local sources said dozens of settlers stormed Kufr Malik, setting fire to homes and vehicles, as residents of the town and neighbouring villages attempted to repel the assault. Israeli forces reportedly provided protection for the settlers and opened fire on residents.

This attack comes just two days after 13-year-old Ammar Mo’taz Hamayel was shot dead in the same town in what eyewitnesses described as a direct and deliberate shooting.