Assassination of Mohammad Faraj al-Malhi by settlers in Harmala

On March 26, 2026, a Palestinian man was critically injured on Thursday evening after Israeli settlers opened fire in the Harmala area east of Bethlehem. At 17:15, a group of settlers were present near the village of Harmala, and they beat the citizen: Abdul Rahman Ahmed Hassan Awadallah, and also opened fire on 3 citizens (one citizen and 2 of his sons), which led to the death of one of them, and the wounding of 2 others.

The settlers attacked the Harmala area and fired live ammunition at residents, seriously wounding a young man in the head. Another person was also injured after being struck in the head with a stone.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its crews dealt with a very critical injury caused by live gunfire to the head during the settler attack. Mohammad Faraj al-Malhi, from the town of Sharafat near Beit Safafa, southwest of occupied Jerusalem, later succumbed to critical injuries he sustained during the colonists’ attack.

Three of al-Malhi’s family members were also injured, including his brother, who was struck by a stone and sustained serious injuries.

IDF Spokesperson statement:

Security forces raided earlier today (Thursday) the Harmala area in the Etzion Brigade, following a report of friction between Israeli civilians and Palestinians. An illegal outpost was established overnight on private Palestinian land, which was evacuated immediately earlier today and was unlawfully re-established. During the friction, an Israeli civilian fired towards a gathering in the area. As a result of the shooting, a resident of East Jerusalem was killed and three others were injured. The Shai District Police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. Upon their arrival, the forces acted to disperse the friction and to evacuate and treat the injured. https://t.me/idf_telegram/22540

Casualties:

Name of the martyr:

Muhammad Ahmed Hassan Jaber Farah Al-Malhi, 38 (resident of the village of Sharafat near the village of Beit Safafa)

Wounded

The two wounded as a result of gunfire by settlers near the village of Khalayel Al-Lawz are: Ahmed Hassan Jaber Faraj, 70 years old, and his son Abdul Rahma