Several Palestinian farmers and shepherds in Masafer Yatta in the south of the West Bank were today injured when attacked by Israeli settlers, according to a local activist.

Rateb al-Jabour, from the Wall and Settlements Resistance Committees, said that settlers from the illegal settlements of Mitzpe Yair and Susya assaulted farmers and shepherds near Khirbet al-Batm and Sussia hamlets causing injuries and bruises to some of them.

The attack, he added, took place under the eyes and protection of Israeli soldiers who did not intervene to stop the settlers.

Jabour called on human rights and international bodies to put an end to settlers' attacks, which aim to force citizens to leave their homes and lands in order to steal them for the benefit of the settlements.

Jabour called on human rights and international bodies to put an end to settlers' attacks, which aim to force citizens to leave their homes and lands in order to steal them for the benefit of the settlements.