Israeli settlers have attacked a girls’ school in the West Bank as Israel steps up violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories.

The incident occurred on Thursday when a group of Israeli settlers raided Kortoba girls’ school in the southern city of al-Khalil (Hebron), Xinhua reported.

The assailants threw stones and empty bottles at the small girls at the school.

The incident, the latest act of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, comes as the United Nations Security Council is debating on the Palestinian Authority’s bid for statehood.

Acting Palestinian Authority Chief Mahmoud Abbas presented the Palestinians’ statehood request to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on September 23, despite fierce opposition from the United States and Israel.

The Palestinian Authority recently warned of Israeli plans to embolden settlers in their attacks on Palestinians following the Palestinian UN motion.

Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources said on Thursday that the Israeli forces arrested six Palestinians in the West Bank, mainly in al-Khalil and in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

On Wednesday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) called on the Israeli regime to halt its attacks on Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank, stressing that Israel is legally obliged to protect Palestinian civilians and their property.

In recent weeks, the occupied territories have seen a rise in Israeli violence, with hundreds of Palestinian olive trees ruined, holy sites including mosques desecrated and the sanctity of Arab cemeteries violated by settlers.

A high-ranking Israeli intelligence officer has acknowledged the dramatic increase in the acts of violence and destruction committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

(Press TV)