The head of the Colonization & Wall Resistance Commission, Minister Moayad Sha'aban, was beaten by Israeli occupation forces on Friday during a demonstration in the town of Derastia, west of Salfit.

Sha'aban sustained bruises in the abdomen and chest during the weekly anti-settlement march in the West Bank town. Israeli settlers are trying to set up a new outpost north of the town, in the Al-Qada area, adding urgency to the protests.  

According to local sources, the troops also fired tear gas at the demonstrators, and the minister was evacuated to hospital for treatment.