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Illegal Israeli settlers torch home, abduct 2 Palestinians in occupied West Bank

Illegal Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian family’s home near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, while another group abducted two Palestinian men west of Hebron, according to Palestinian sources.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its crews evacuated eight family members after settlers torched the house in the Abu Njeim area, east of Bethlehem. No injuries were reported.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa said the settlers also set fire to a Palestinian vehicle during the attack.

In a separate incident, Wafa reported that Israeli settlers abducted two Palestinian men after vandalising their vehicle near the town of Beit Ula, west of Hebron. No further details were immediately available.

The occupied West Bank has seen a sharp rise in attacks by illegal Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property in recent weeks.

Palestinians, as well as Israeli and international human rights organisations, have accused the Israeli military of protecting the settlers and taking part in the attacks.

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