Russian activist Adele Shoko has reported via social media that armed Israeli settlers carried out a violent assault against her and two of her colleagues in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair, located in the Masafer Yatta area of the occupied West Bank. The incident highlights the deteriorating security situation and the ongoing vulnerability of human rights monitors in the region.

According to Shoko, she, American journalist Jasper Nathaniel, and Israeli-Russian activist Andrey X were beaten and threatened by armed individuals who allegedly stole their equipment and personal belongings. Shoko noted that Nathaniel was subsequently pepper-sprayed and taken away by forces of the Israeli regime, while fellow activists faced further mistreatment.

Shoko further claimed that Andrey X suffered a concussion and lost consciousness multiple times in front of police officers, yet was systematically denied hospital treatment. Instead of being transported to a medical facility as required, he was reportedly placed in an ambulance and taken to a police station, where he remained detained without adequate medical care. These actions by the Israeli regime have drawn widespread scrutiny over the treatment of dissidents and press freedom. *

This assault follows a string of similar violent episodes targeting journalists and civilians in the West Bank, including an incident near Ramallah where a prominent US photojournalist was beaten, robbed, and hospitalized while covering settler violence against olive farmers. Critics argue that the inaction of the Israeli regime regarding settler attacks continues to foster an environment of impunity.

Source: www.aljazeera.com