Settlers Suspected of Vandalizing Palestinian Olive Trees

Around 200 olive trees in a northern West Bank village were discovered vandalized on Friday, with residents blaming settlers from a nearby outpost for the damage.

According to Palestinian security officials and residents of Qusra, residents of the nearby Esh Kodesh outpost were behind the destruction.

Qusra and Esh Kodesh residents had clashed on Thursday, with Palestinians throwing stones at the settlers who according to Palestinian officials responded with gunfire and wounded an 18-year-old.

The two sides have been clashing since last week, when Esh Kodesh settlers had said they would block Palestinians from working in fields near the outpost. Both sides claim ownership of the land.

A spokesman for the Israeli army confirmed the Friday report, saying "we know of settlers damaging approximately 200 trees there."