JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian home in the south of the Israeli-occupied West Bank overnight, breaking in and killing sheep, a Palestinian official said Tuesday. It was the latest in a surge of attacks by settlers against Palestinians in the territory in recent months.
Israeli police said they arrested five settlers.
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Young Palestinians show some of the sheeps that were killed during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
A Palestinian boy shows one of the sheep that was injured during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Wafaa Rabie, 30, shows the door of her house that was damaged during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Young Palestinians walk next sheeps that were killed during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
An Israeli settlers outpost is seen on area next to the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
A Palestinian boy shows one of the sheep that was injured during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Young Palestinians show some of the sheeps that were killed during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
The settlers killed three sheep and injured four more, smashed a door and a window of the home, and fired tear gas inside, sending three Palestinian children under the age of 4 to the hospital, said Amir Dawood, who directs an office documenting such attacks within a Palestinian governmental body called the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission.
Police said they arrested the five settlers on suspicion of trespassing onto Palestinian land, damaging property and dispensing pepper spray, not tear gas. They said they are investigating.
CCTV video from the attack in the town of As Samu’, shared by the commission, showed five masked settlers in dark clothing, some with batons, approaching the home and appearing to enter. Sounds of smashing are heard, as well as animal noises. Another video from inside shows masked figures appearing to strike sheep in the stable.
Photos of the aftermath, also shared by the commission, show smashed car windows and a shattered front door. Bloodied sheep lie dead as others stand with blood staining their wool. Inside the home, photos show broken glass and the furniture ransacked.
Dawood said it was the second settler attack on the family in less than two months. He called it “part of a systematic and ongoing pattern of settler violence targeting Palestinian civilians, their property and their means of livelihood, carried out with impunity under the protection of the Israeli occupation.”
During October’s olive harvest, settlers across the territory launched an average of eight attacks daily, the most since the United Nations humanitarian office began collecting data in 2006. The attacks continued in November, with the U.N. recording at least 136 by Nov. 24.
Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza — areas claimed by the Palestinians for a future state — in the 1967 war. It has settled over 500,000 Jews in the West Bank, in addition to over 200,000 in contested east Jerusalem.
Israel’s government is dominated by far-right proponents of the settler movement, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Cabinet Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees the nation’s police force. Earlier this week, Smotrich said the Israeli cabinet had approved a proposal for 19 new Jewish settlements, another blow to the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Young Palestinians show some of the sheeps that were killed during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
A Palestinian boy shows one of the sheep that was injured during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Wafaa Rabie, 30, shows the door of her house that was damaged during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Young Palestinians walk next sheeps that were killed during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
An Israeli settlers outpost is seen on area next to the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
A Palestinian boy shows one of the sheep that was injured during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Young Palestinians show some of the sheeps that were killed during an Israeli settlers attack in the town of As Samu', near the West Bank city of Hebron, Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Before the war, Ukraine’s own “Dancing with the Stars” was a cherished and popular television show, dazzling the audiences with performances by celebrities and professional dancers. The show is now back on for one special episode — this time with Ukrainian wartime heroes as the stars, underscoring the nation's resilience in difficult times.
Many still remember how President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — then an actor — won the dance competition in 2006, the year that “Tantsi z zirkamy” as the show is known in Ukrainian, first debuted.
In the new, special episode, the dancers perform with prosthetic limbs, showcasing their strength in overcoming adversity. The lineup of participants includes public figures who rose to prominence since Russia's full-out war on Ukraine was launched in February 2022.
But like all of present-day Ukraine, the show — which is part of an international franchise — has had to deal with a multitude of wartime challenges, including frequent power outages.
All the proceeds will go to the Superhumans Center, a specialist clinic for the treatment and rehabilitation of war-wounded victims.
During a prerecording last week, dancers spun, leapt and glided under the sparkle of lights, some seamlessly integrating their prosthetic limbs into the choreography.
For creative producer Volodymyr Zavadiuk, every segment of the show is precious, creating something special during tough times.
“It’s about our resilience and it’s about our future,” said Zavadiuk, who also heads Big Brave Events and the Big Entertainment Shows department at 1+1 Media.
Among the performers was Ruslana Danilkina, a war veteran who lost her leg in combat in 2022 and is now renowned in Ukraine for dedicating herself to helping injured troops adapt to life with prosthetics.
She delivered a passionate performance centered on reclaiming her womanhood following the traumatic injury.
Also back in the show is beloved dancer Dmytro Dikusar, this time as a competition judge. He juggled filming and serving with his platoon on the front lines.
Ukrainian rock musician Yevhen Halych sat in the makeup chair ahead of his number, reflecting on his own determination to bring back the show.
“We are filming this project in a country where there is a war. ... We have power cuts, we may have an air alert, it could be bombing," he said. "What do I feel? I feel a genuine desire to live a full life, no matter what happens.”
Producing the show's special episode has been no easy feat in time of war. A live broadcast was impossible — a Russian attack can happen at any time. Then there were the technical obstacles: during last week's recording, a key generator malfunctioned.
When the show airs on Sunday, audiences will vote for their favorite.
Danilkina, who was only 18 years old when she lost her leg and who today works at the Superhumans Center, enthralled everyone with her passionate performance, her prosthetic limb artfully integrated into her routine.
“Our dance number is about life. It’s about accepting love," she told The Associated Press after her performance. "Because in reality, when your body is wounded, it’s very difficult to love yourself. And allowing someone else to love you is even harder.”
Her injury was not the end of her life, she said, and now she wants to show “thousands of wounded boys and girls who are starting their lives over again” that it's not the end of theirs.
For veteran Ivan Voinov and his wife of three months, Solomiia, the show was more than just a dance performance: it was the second time they had danced together since his injury, the first time was at their wedding.
Solomiia Voinov smiled shyly, recounting how she had long tried to persuade Ivan that they should dance until he gave in.
“We don’t take our eyes off each other while dancing, and it’s a great connection,” she said. “I’m happy.”
Voinov said he was already planning their next dance — a bachata, a fast-paced, hip-swaying style of dance that originated in the Dominican Republic.
“We will be able to continue dancing," he said. "It means that there is a future.”
Associated Press videographer Alex Babenko in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.
CORRECTS NAME TO RUSLANA DANILKINA - Volunteer soldier Ruslana Danilkina, 21, who lost her leg in Russia-Ukraine war, and choreographer Pavlo Semakin perform during the shooting of the Christmas TV show ''Dancing with the Stars'' in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
CORRECTS NAME TO RUSLANA DANILKINA - Volunteer soldier Ruslana Danilkina, 21, who lost her leg in the Russia-Ukraine war, and choreographer Pavlo Semakin perform during the shooting of the Christmas TV show ''Dancing with the Stars'' in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
A ballet dancer warms up during the shooting of the Christmas TV show ''Dancing with the Stars'' during blackout hours caused by Russia's regular air attacks on the country's energy objects in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Volunteer soldier Rusya Danylkina, 21, who lost her leg in Russia-Ukraine war, and choreographer Pavlo Semakin perform during the shooting of the Christmas TV show ''Dancing with the Stars'' in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Well-known Ukrainian dancer Dmytro Dikusar and now serving as a soldier with his platoon on the front lines performs during the shooting of the Christmas TV show ''Dancing with the Stars'' in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Well-known Ukrainian artists perform during the shooting of the Christmas TV show ''Dancing with the Stars'' in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
Volunteer soldier Rusya Danylkina, 21, who lost her leg in Russia-Ukraine war, and choreographer Pavlo Semakin perform during the shooting of the Christmas TV show ''Dancing with the Stars'' in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
