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Italy and Canada have raised concerns regarding the handling of their nationals who were assaulted and robbed by Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Details of the Brutal Assault

Three Italians and a Canadian were attacked early on Sunday morning in the village of Ein al-Duyuk, near the city of Jericho. They were serving to help shield Palestinian residents from escalating violence by settlers.

“At 4.30am on 30 November, 10 masked settlers, two carrying army-issued rifles, burst into the home where we were resting after a night shift,” stated the Canadian volunteer.

Each of the four required hospital treatment and one, an Italian man, was continuing to undergo treatment in the city of Ramallah on Monday for more substantial injuries.

Rising Tensions in Ein al-Duyuk

The pace and intensity of attacks in this area have increased substantially over the past two months. This follows the establishment of a settler outpost in the vicinity and the influx of new, confrontational settlers.

Local observers report that violent incidents have become an routine event. Attacks have included groups of settlers breaking into homes, assaulting residents, and taking sheep, vehicles, and destroying solar panels.

International Law and Government Reactions

Although all Israeli communities on land seized in 1967 are considered unlawful by the international community, unauthorized outposts are also illegal under Israeli law. Ein al-Duyuk is in Area A of the West Bank, a zone meant to be administered of the Palestinian Authority.

The Canadian foreign ministry stated it “utterly rejects the acts of violence committed by extremist settlers and opposes any actions or talk about absorbing Palestinian land.”

Italy's top diplomat, Minister Tajani, told reporters: “We have had enough of this aggression. This is not the way for anyone to make their claims.”

Lack of Intervention and Wider Situation

Villagers and activists report there has been little effective action by security forces to halt the assaults or dismantle the outpost. Senior figures of the current Israeli government are vocal backers of settlements in the territory.

United Nations data indicates that Israeli settlers and security forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of minors, in the West Bank over the past two years.

Perspective from the Ground

The injured Canadian added that, notwithstanding the violence, she felt the international presence in the village had been valuable.

“The residents felt more confident while we were present,” she said. “The children played freely. People slept through the night. Just that made our presence worthwhile.”

A Palestinian activist working with groups that recruit foreign volunteers said the recent encampment has brought in far-right wing settlers who appear to be part of a coordinated network.