Palestinian baby in 'serious condition' after being sprayed by Israeli settlers

A Palestinian baby was left hospitalised and in serious condition when Israeli settlers attacked his parents' car and pepper-sprayed them in the occupied West Bank.

Settlers on Monday evening attacked Palestinians commuting on a road linking the cities of Jenin and Nablus.

One of the vehicle passengers was an infant who suffocated after being sprayed by the settlers. 

"Look at his swollen eyes, he's a baby and these settlers still won't give him mercy", an eyewitness said whilst filming his father cradling him with an oxygen mask.

The baby's father said the attack took place in front of occupying Israeli forces who stood idly and allowed the attack to take place.

An infant was injured when settlers attacked citizens’ vehicles on the road between Jenin and Nablus, and sprayed their vehicles with pepper gas#Palestine#IsraeliCrimes
pic.twitter.com/cV2cAglkg8

— Uncle 𓂆 🇵🇸 (@bani_basel) May 23, 2022

He was rushed to hospital and was reported to be in serious condition, according to the Palestinian Authority's Wafa news agency.

Israel has occupied the West Bank illegally since 1967, and commits various abuses against Palestinian civilians, human rights groups say.

Israeli forces and settlers routinely harass Palestinians in the occupied territories through harming and killing civilians, demolishing homes, poisoning livestock, vandalising property and other forms of violence.

More than 700,000 Jewish Israelis live in settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, in constructions considered illegal under international law.

The Oslo agreement of 1995 divided the occupied West Bank into three zones: Area A, Area B, and Area C.

Area A is under the administrative and security control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Area B's administration is controlled by the PA, with Israel controlling security. Area C is under full administrative and security control of Israel.