Hundreds of armed Israeli settlers stormed a village in the occupied West Bank on Friday, torching homes and cars – and leaving at least one Palestinian dead and 25 injured in a broad operation in search of a young boy.

Israeli troops intervened when dozens of settlers stormed al-Mughayyir, a village near Ramallah, armed with guns and stones.

The 14-year-old missing Benjamin Ahimeir has not been found despite the violence that broke out while a large investigation is underway. The 14-year-old shepherd left the farm early in the morning to graze his flock and did not show signs of life again. His sister Hannah, as quoted by the AFP news agency, said he was familiar with the area as he often took the sheep to graze.

Israeli authorities deployed special forces, air assets and teams with specially trained dogs to search the outskirts of Malasei Ha Shalom, northeast of Ramallah. Roadblocks were set up and hundreds of soldiers and civilians searched hills and fields on foot. In the afternoon, armed settlers invaded the Palestinian village and burned houses, cars while opening fire.

Violence has escalated in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began on October 7.