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The governments of Italy and Canada have expressed alarm regarding the handling of their nationals who were beaten and robbed by Jewish settlers in the Palestinian territories under occupation.

Details of the Violent Incident

A group comprising three Italians and one Canadian were assaulted in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday in the village of Ein al-Duyuk, near the city of Jericho. They had volunteered to help protect the Palestinian population from intensifying settler violence.

“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.

Escalating Violence in Ein al-Duyuk

The frequency and severity of attacks in this area have increased substantially over the last eight weeks. This coincides with the establishment of a settler outpost in the vicinity and the arrival of young and aggressive settlers.

Activists say that aggressive acts have become an routine event. Attacks have included groups of settlers breaking into homes, beating villagers, and stealing livestock and property.

International Law and Government Reactions

Although all Israeli communities on land seized in 1967 are considered unlawful by the international community, irregular 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 governing body.

The Canadian foreign ministry stated it “strongly condemns the violent acts committed by radical settlers and opposes any actions or talk about absorbing Palestinian land.”

The Italian foreign minister, Minister Tajani, told reporters: “We cannot tolerate of this aggression. This is not the way for anyone to make their claims.”

Absence of Protection and Broader Context

Residents and advocates report there has been little effective action by security forces to halt the assaults or remove the illegal settlement. Leading members of the current Israeli government actively support settlements in the territory.

According to UN figures that settlers and Israeli forces have taken the lives of over a thousand Palestinians, including 233 children, in the West Bank over the past two years.

Perspective from the Ground

The Canadian volunteer noted that, notwithstanding the violence, she felt the international presence in the village had been meaningful.

“The villagers stood taller while we were present,” she said. “The children played freely. Families could sleep soundly. Just that made our presence justified.”

A local organizer working with groups that recruit foreign volunteers said the recent encampment has brought in ideologically driven settlers who appear to be part of a coordinated network.