Israeli settlers launched a wave of violent attacks across the occupied West Bank, setting homes and vehicles ablaze and injuring multiple Palestinians in what witnesses described as organized raids. The incidents, reported at numerous locations overnight from Saturday into Sunday, reflect an alarming rise in hostilities in the region. According to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, settlers invaded the towns of al-Fandaqumiya and Seilat al-Dahr, located south of Jenin, late on Saturday.
In al-Fandaqumiya, settlers reportedly torched houses and cars, while residents attempted to extinguish the flames and protect their properties. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the sound of breaking glass echoing through the night as windows were smashed. In Seilat al-Dahr, several homes were targeted, and a local resident suffered injuries after being assaulted by the attackers. Originally reported by The Guardian.
Multiple Attacks Across the Region
Further violence unfolded in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, where two Palestinians were injured, and three others were detained following a settler incursion, as reported by Wafa. In the villages of Qaryout and Jaloud, south of Nablus, masked settlers carried out successive raids, setting vehicles ablaze and injuring residents. Eyewitnesses noted the destruction of a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which was left as a charred shell.
Additionally, settlers gathered along roads near Haris, west of Salfit, and in Rawabi in the Ramallah area, throwing stones at passing Palestinian vehicles. Similar incidents were documented in Tuqou, southeast of Bethlehem, where chaos reigned as settlers attacked local communities. Approximately 100 masked settlers were involved in the raids on Qaryout and Jaloud, leading to at least five cars being burned and other vehicles, including a fire engine, vandalized.
Inaction from Israeli Forces
Despite the presence of Israeli troops and police on the outskirts of the villages as early as 2 am, they did not intervene to halt the violence or prevent settlers from moving between communities, according to witness accounts shared with the Guardian. CCTV footage captured a large group of hooded settlers in black clothing retreating from Jaloud after the attacks. The inaction of security forces has drawn criticism and raised concerns about their role during such violent episodes.
This surge in violence coincides with Eid al-Fitr, which marks the conclusion of Ramadan, and is part of a broader increase in settler aggression since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. According to the United Nations, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 2023 due to actions by Israeli forces and settlers.
Responses and Criticism of Israeli Government
Human rights organizations have condemned the situation, highlighting the lack of accountability for such attacks. The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has accused the government of facilitating settler violence as part of a strategy to solidify control over Palestinian lands. The United Nations has warned that Israeli policies in the West Bank could lead to the forced displacement of Palestinian communities.
In response to the violence, Israeli forces acknowledged incidents involving Israeli civilians committing arson and disturbances but reported no arrests. Additionally, clashes erupted at the Jabara checkpoint south of Tulkarem, where Israeli forces shot and injured two Palestinians, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
Yair Golan, leader of Israel's center-left Democrats, condemned the recent violence, stating, "While we are fighting in Iran and on the northern border, under missile attacks and with many seriously wounded, this government is encouraging total anarchy." He attributed the rise in settler violence to support from extremist ministers and the prime minister and defense minister.
Amid the escalating violence, B'Tselem has highlighted previous instances of severe attacks, including a March incident where Israeli troops killed a Palestinian couple and their two children during a military operation in Tamoun. Reports from that day also detailed the violent interrogation of a surviving child at the scene.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains precarious for Palestinian communities in the West Bank. The volatile environment underscores the urgent need for accountability and protection for vulnerable populations amid ongoing conflict.
Originally reported by The Guardian. View original.