Police officers arrested five settlers on suspicion of attacking three Palestinian shepherds and murdering multiple sheep, Army Radio reported Tuesday.
On Monday, a group of settlers approached a group of Palestinian farmers and left-wing activists and threw stones at them, the Israel Police said. They allegedly also damaged a vehicle and caused additional property damage.
As the incitement ensued, the attackers reportedly opened fire and wounded three Palestinians. Two of the victims sustained serious injuries and were taken to Hadassah-University Medical Center on Jerusalem’s Mount Scopus. One was moderately injured and was evacuated in a Red Crescent ambulance.
Multiple children under the age of four in a home reportedly were hospitalized after inhaling what was believed to be tear gas or pepper spray.
The home of Palestinian shepherd Mahmoud Dramin was broken into on Monday night, according to Palestinian media outlets. First responders were dispatched to his property in the South Hebron Hills following reports that attackers from a nearby settlement were raiding his village. His property also was broken into in October.
Security footage showed attackers beating sheep with large metal poles in their pen, before the video cut following the disarmament of the surveillance camera by one of the attackers. Animal noises accompanied the sounds of smashing as the attack occurred.
Footage taken after the attack showed at least one of the sheep dead and bloodied in the pen alongside other livestock, who were also huddled in their pen. Other sheep were seen with blood on their wool.
Stones thrown and property ransacked
Attackers allegedly threw stones at the home and ransacked the property, shattering windows and using tear gas or pepper spray to cause damage.
The five settlers who carried out the attack were arrested on suspicion of trespassing on Palestinian land, property damage, and using pepper spray, the Israel Police said.