In a disturbing turn of events, hundreds of Israeli settlers launched violent attacks on Palestinian villages across the occupied West Bank, following the discovery of the body of a missing Israeli boy. Eyewitnesses reported to CNN that the settlers surrounded communities and targeted residents in a wave of aggression.

The Israeli military announced that the 14-year-old boy, Binyamin Achimair, had been killed in a "terrorist attack" in the area of Malachei Ha'Shalom. However, it remains unclear what caused his death, and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have yet to provide evidence to support their claim. CNN has reached out to the IDF for further clarification.

Footage obtained by CNN showed settlers setting houses and cars on fire in the village of Duma, southeast of Nablus, creating thick smoke in the air. Eyewitnesses recounted how settlers stormed people's homes, leading to intense clashes with Palestinians. Videos on social media captured confrontations between Palestinians and settlers in the villages of Deir Dibwan and Beitin, east of Ramallah, with Palestinians throwing rocks and Israeli military vehicles deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds.

These recent attacks occurred following a large-scale assault in Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, which resulted in the death of a Palestinian man and left 25 others injured. The incidents intensified as the search for Achimair continued.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences to the family of the deceased boy and pledged that Israeli security forces, in collaboration with the Shin Bet, were working tirelessly to apprehend the culprits. Netanyahu emphasized the need for Israeli citizens to allow the security forces to conduct their operations without interference.

In an effort to quell tensions, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant appealed to the public to avoid taking matters into their own hands. He stressed that revenge actions would only hinder the mission of the security forces and urged the public to respect the rule of law.

Videos obtained by CNN documented an increased military presence at a checkpoint near the town of Sinjil, northeast of Ramallah. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that over a dozen Palestinians had been admitted to hospitals across the West Bank, with most of the injuries caused by gunfire.

The escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem has been on the rise since the October 7 attacks. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, at least 462 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or in settler attacks.

As tensions continue to mount, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, calling for restraint and a peaceful resolution to avoid further bloodshed and suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians.