Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, injure 16

Armed Jewish settlers have attacked a village in the southern West Bank, leaving at least sixteen Palestinian villagers injured. Palestinian sources say around 200 Israeli settlers from Beit Ayin attacked Beit Safa, a nearby Palestinian village, early Wednesday and started throwing stones at homes and damaging cars. Moments later Israeli soldiers rushed to the region and used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse the crowd and end the violence. According to Palestinian doctors, six of the wounded were injured after IDF soldiers opened fire on them. Israel's military, however, claims that the violence began after Palestinians hurled stones at the settlers, who were marking a Jewish blessing on a hilltop. Bat Ayin -- with nearly 1,000 residents -- is one of the most radical settlements in the occupied West Bank. Under international law Jewish settlers are considered illegal.