A group of armed settlers raided the hamlet of Khirbet a-Tuba in the South Hebron Hills overnight Thursday and set several homes on fire, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported, and Israeli security forces launched an investigation.

According to the report, a number of residents, including women and children, suffered from smoke inhalation as a result of the attack.

A local resident, who requested anonymity, told The Times of Israel that six residents were also injured after being attacked by settlers wielding sticks and throwing stones. According to him, the injured included a 6-year-old girl and a 36-year-old woman.

He said that around 30 settlers entered the community and fled a short time later. Residents filed a police complaint, he added.

Media reports also said Hebrew graffiti reading “Eretz Yehuda” (“Land of Judea,” a reference to the geographic region where the hamlet is located) was spray-painted at the scene.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said troops were dispatched to Khirbet a-Tuba after receiving a report of Israelis who entered the hamlet and set fire to homes and attacked residents, but that the assailants fled before troops arrived.

بغطاء من الاحـ'تلال تتواصل جرائمهم .. مشاهد من إحراق المـ'ستوطنين عدداً من مساكن الفلسطينيين في "خربة الطوبا" بمسافر يطا،........

© The Times of Israel