Israeli settlers shoot and wound three Palestinians in Bethlehem

Three Palestinians were wounded by gunfire from Israeli settlers on Saturday during an attack on the village of al-Minya, in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem.

The head of the al-Minya village council, Zayed Kawazba, told Wafa news agency that a group of armed settlers, protected by Israeli security forces, attacked residents near the village.

He said they opened fire on residents, wounding three people who were subsequently taken to hospital.

Kawazba added that settlers also grazed their livestock among Palestinian olive trees - a provocative act aimed at seizing Palestinian lands. 

He said Israeli forces were present at the scene and provided protection for the settlers.