Witnesses: Israeli settlers attack Palestinians in Bedouin community in West Bank
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December 30, 2025
December 30, 2025
Hundreds of police officers to remain in Bedouin village until further notice, following clashes
Israel Police forces in the village of Tarabin al-Sana in southern Israel on Monday. Credit: Eliahu Hershkovitz
Israel Police forces in the village of Tarabin al-Sana in southern Israel on Monday. Credit: Eliahu Hershkovitz
Hundreds of officers from Israel's Border Police will remain in the southern Bedouin village of Tarabin al-Sana until further notice, according to the police.
The move comes after a widescale raid of the village on Monday, which police called "comprehensive activity to strengthen governance," carried out in response to "acts of revenge by criminals over the weekend."
Clashes in the village began on Friday, when police patrol cars entered the village in search of a stolen horse, which led to police using pepper spray and tear gas to disperse crowds.
On Saturday, masked assailants broke into two communities in southern Israel and vandalized vehicles. Dozens of police officers raided the village in response and arrested six suspects. Police suspect the break-ins were carried out in retaliation for the police's activity on Friday.
On Sunday, police fired tear gas into a local mosque during evening prayers and fired rubber-coated bullets.
U.S. on Somaliland recognition: Israel has right to conduct foreign affairs like any country
Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters, 2024. Credit: Yuki Iwamura/AP
Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters, 2024. Credit: Yuki Iwamura/AP
The U.S. defended Israel's recognition of Somaliland, the northern breakaway region of Somalia, at a UN Security Council emergency meeting on the issue, saying that Israel has the right to conduct foreign affairs like any state.
At Monday's meeting, Ambassador Tammy Bruce, Deputy Representative of the U.S. to the UN said, "Israel has the same right to conduct diplomatic relations as any other sovereign state."
Bruce added that "Earlier this year, several countries, including members of this Council, made the unilateral decision to recognize a nonexistent Palestinian state," accusing the Council of a double standard, as "no emergency meeting was called to express this Council's outrage."
She added that U.S. policy towards Somaliland has not changed.
Read more about Israel's recognition of Somaliland:
By recognizing Somaliland, Israel steps into a complex labyrinth of regional rivalries
All eyes on Somaliland: The tiny African state that's key to Israel's war on Houthi terror
Somali president says Israeli recognition of Somaliland is 'illegal aggression'
Bondi gunmen acted alone, no evidence they were part of militant cell, Australian police say
Mourners comforting each other at a memorial held last week for the victims of the Bondi massacre. Credit: David Gray/AFP
Mourners comforting each other at a memorial held last week for the victims of the Bondi massacre. Credit: David Gray/AFP
Two gunmen who allegedly opened fire on a Jewish celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach earlier this month acted alone and there was "no evidence" they were part of a militant cell, police said on Tuesday.
Naveed Akram and his father Sajid Akram are alleged to have killed 15 people at a Hanukkah event on December 14, Australia's worst mass shooting in almost three decades that shocked the nation and led to immediate reforms of already strict gun laws.
Police have previously said the men were inspired by Islamic State, with home made flags of the militant group found in their car after the attack, and a month-long trip by the pair to a Philippines island previously plagued by militancy a major focus of investigation.
But on Tuesday, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said there was no indication the men had received formal training on the November trip to Mindanao in the Philippines.
"There is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell, or were directed by others to carry out an attack," Barrett told a news conference.
She added the findings were an initial assessment, and authorities in Australia and the Philippines were continuing their investigation.
"I am not suggesting that they were there for tourism," she said, referring to the Philippines trip.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the attack, while his son Naveed, who was also shot by police, was charged with 59 offences after waking from a days-long coma earlier this month. Naveed Akram faces charges ranging from 15 counts of murder to terror and explosives offences.
Witnesses: Israeli settlers attack Palestinians in Bedouin community in West Bank
Rocks thrown by settlers at a home in the Bedouin community of Mukhmas, near Ramallah, on Monday night. Credit: Torat Tzedek
Rocks thrown by settlers at a home in the Bedouin community of Mukhmas, near Ramallah, on Monday night. Credit: Torat Tzedek
Witnesses say that Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the Bedouin community of Mukhmas near Ramallah late Monday night. According to one eyewitness, two people were evacuated from the site by the Red Crescent for medical treatment.
According to other witnesses, settlers hurled stones at an inhabited building, sprayed the area with pepper spray and beat at least one person with clubs. At least one vehicle was vandalized, they added.
"We opened the door and saw several settlers, maybe a little less than 10. They were masked, some with clubs," an Israeli activist who was at the scene told Haaretz.
"One of the residents went out the door and I lost contact with him; later I realized they had beaten him with clubs," the activist added. "The settlers pounded on the door, smashed a hole in it and started throwing stones through it. Every 30 seconds, they sprayed pepper spray through the hole in the door."
According to the activist, the attack lasted about 10 minutes. "At some point I peeked through the hole... Suddenly one of them sprayed me right in the eyes," he said, adding that the settlers later broke into the building and stole a phone and a wallet from one of the residents.
Pentagon announces $8.6 billion Boeing contract for F-15 jets for Israel
Boeing was given an $8.6 billion contract for the F-15 Israel Program, the Pentagon said on Monday, after U.S. President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida.
"This contract provides for the design, integration, instrumentation, test, production, and delivery of 25 new F-15IA aircraft for the Israeli Air Force with an option for an additional 25 F-15IA aircraft," the Pentagon said.
The Pentagon said the contract involved foreign military sales to Israel. The U.S. has long been by far the largest arms supplier to its closest Middle East ally.
Contract work will be performed in St. Louis, and was expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2035, the Pentagon said in a statement.
Source close to Netanyahu: Meeting with Trump was excellent, president understands the positions presented to him
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he greets Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. Credit: Alex Brandon / AP
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he greets Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. Credit: Alex Brandon / AP
A source close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told Haaretz that the meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump was positive.
"The meeting, including in the closed room, was excellent," the source said. "It is evident that he understands the positions Netanyahu presented to him."
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