Schools in the occupied West Bank town of Huwara remained closed on Sunday as Israeli troops intensified their search for the individuals responsible for the fatal shooting of an Israeli father and his son. The victims, identified as Shay Silas Nigrekar, 60, and Aviad Nir, 28, were gunned down at a car wash in Huwara on Saturday, marking the latest incident in a series of attacks that have shaken the region.
The acting governor of Nablus, Ghassan Daghlas, made the decision to close schools in Huwara due to concerns from parents about potential reactions from settlers. The town has witnessed numerous attacks on Jewish settlers and the Israeli military over the past year, leading to retaliatory actions by settlers against the local Palestinian population.
Local resident Ashraf Odeh expressed frustration at the ongoing violence, stating, “Whenever an attack occurs that negatively affects the residents of Huwara… settlers break in, hurl rocks and smash cars. The army can do nothing for you, because its priority is to protect the settlers before it protects us.”
Israeli forces also tightened security measures by blocking access to nearby villages, Beita and Aqraba, as the manhunt for the suspects continued. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation during a cabinet meeting, asserting, “Our security forces are currently looking for the murderer… this terrorist’s day will also come and sooner than he thinks.”
The victims had previously visited Huwara, according to their relatives. Shay Silas Nigrekar had acquaintances in the area due to his visits to local car mechanics. An unrelated incident occurred on Sunday, where Israeli troops fired at a group of “masked suspects” near the Israeli settlement of Maale Levona. The injured suspects were later revealed to be Israeli citizens, prompting further investigation.
The West Bank has experienced a surge in violence since the previous year, characterized by Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets, Israeli military operations, and acts of violence by Jewish settlers against Palestinian communities. In the ongoing conflict, approximately 218 Palestinians, including civilians and combatants, have been killed this year. On the Israeli side, 30 individuals, including members of the Arab minority, one Ukrainian, and one Italian, have lost their lives.
The situation remains tense as both Israeli and Palestinian authorities grapple with ongoing violence and its implications for the region.
