16 Palestinians Wounded in Clashes with Settlers near Bat-Ayin

Source: Al-Manar TV, 8-4-2009

At least 16 Palestinians were hurt, one of them seriously during clashes between dozens of settlers and Palestinians in a nearby occupied West Bank village near the settlement of Bat Ayin. One "Israeli" settler was wounded.

The violence erupted when a group of "Israeli" settlers began throwing stones at Palestinians on the outskirts of the village of Safa. The Palestinians said that the settlers entered their village shooting in the air and damaging their property.

"Israeli" occupation soldiers arrived at the scene in order to break up the clash. However, the Palestinians said that the soldiers did not prevent the settlers from firing their weapons.

The occupation security forces are currently investigating whether the Palestinians were wounded by "Israeli" army fire.

There were conflicting reports regarding the number of people hurt in the clash. Between three and six Palestinians were wounded, one of them seriously.