SETTLER SURGE ON WEST BANK

Raiders bring death & terror as Palestinians are targeted

- CHRIS HUGHES

ISRAELI settlers emboldened by the war in Gaza have ramped up violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, say terrified locals.

Shockwaves from Israel's hard-line approach and imminent invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah have been felt in the occupied West Bank.

Yesterday's moves to urge Israel to give besieged Gaza more aid and broker a ceasefire may mean little to Ahmed Hamed on the West Bank. It will not bring back his 17-year-old son Omar.

Ahmed said the village of Beitin was attacked three times in a day by 40 marauding settlers who were armed with assault rifles and tried to torch homes. Omar was shot in the head after nightfall by retreating settlers during the third attack. A second boy was seriously injured. Devastated Ahmed, 53, said: "Local people were trying to protect their homes, unarmed.