Armed Israeli settlers escorted by soldiers threaten residents of Maghayer a-Deir , Ramallah District

On Thursday, 28 December 2023, around 11:30 A.M., about 30 settlers arrived at the community, escorted by soldiers. Some of the settlers were carrying firearms and others clubs, and some of them were masked. The settlers approached residents’ homes, informed them they were not allowed to graze their flocks on the land around the community and threatened to attack them if they did. After a verbal confrontation with the residents, they started shooting in the air and pushing the residents. Ahmad Mleihat (50) fell and was bruised in the hand and back. The soldiers detained on the spot every resident who acted in self-defense. Mleihat called the police, who arrived after some time. The settlers told the officers the residents had been the ones to attack them, and the officers arrested six residents and took them to the Binyamin police station. The residents were interrogated and transferred to Ofer Prison, where they were beaten by prison guards and indicted. They were held until 5 January 2023 and then released, after signing a 3,000-shekel bail each. On 17 January 2024, settlers came to the community, swore at residents and threw stones at their homes, causing no damage. The residents called the police, who did not arrive. Eventually, the settlers left.