Coordinated Attacks by Israeli Settlers in West Bank
Israeli settlers have conducted a series of attacks across the occupied West Bank, setting homes and vehicles ablaze and injuring several Palestinians. Witnesses described these actions as coordinated raids targeting multiple communities.
The violence occurred overnight from Saturday into Sunday amid escalating tensions in the region. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that settlers entered the town of al-Fandaqumiya and the nearby village of Seilat al-Dahr, located south of Jenin, late on Saturday.
In al-Fandaqumiya, settlers set fire to houses and cars and broke windows of other homes while residents attempted to confront them and extinguish the flames, according to Wafa. In Seilat al-Dahr, several homes were attacked and a resident was beaten, resulting in injuries.
Further Incidents Across the West Bank
Additional attacks took place in other areas where two Palestinians were wounded and three were arrested after settlers entered under the protection of Israeli forces, Wafa stated. In the villages of Qaryout and Jaloud, south of Nablus, vehicles were burned and residents were injured during similar raids. In Jaloud, images showed a four-wheel-drive vehicle completely destroyed by fire.
Elsewhere, groups of settlers gathered along roads near Haris, west of Salfit, and near Rawabi in the Ramallah area, throwing stones at passing Palestinian vehicles. Similar incidents were reported in Tuqou, southeast of Bethlehem.
In Qaryout and Jaloud, approximately 100 masked settlers conducted successive waves of raids. Witnesses described chaotic scenes with vehicles set on fire and homes attacked. At least five cars were burned, and others, including a fire engine, were vandalized.
Israeli troops and police were present on the outskirts of the villages by 2 a.m. but did not intervene to halt the attacks or prevent settlers from moving between villages, witnesses told . CCTV footage showed a large group of hooded settlers dressed in black withdrawing from Jaloud.
Context and Broader Conflict
The attacks took place during Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and are part of a broader surge in violence that has intensified since the onset of the war in Gaza. According to the United Nations, Israeli forces and settlers have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 2023.
Human rights organizations report that such attacks frequently occur with little accountability. The Israeli human rights group B’Tselem has accused the government of enabling settler violence as part of a strategy to consolidate control over Palestinian land. The UN has warned that Israeli policies in the West Bank risk forcibly displacing Palestinian communities.
The Israeli military stated it responded to incidents involving Israeli civilians committing arson against structures and property and disturbances in the area but did not report any arrests.
Additionally, Israeli forces shot and wounded two Palestinians late on Saturday at the Jabara checkpoint, south of Tulkarem, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Political Reactions
Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s centre-left Democrats, condemned the violence on Sunday and accused the government of enabling lawlessness in the occupied West Bank.
"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.
Jewish terrorism is spreading, exploiting the war, with the backing of extremist ministers and dangerous encouragement from the prime minister and the defence minister."
"This is a failure of responsibility for Israel’s security."
Previous Incidents and Human Rights Concerns
On 15 March, B’Tselem reported that Israeli troops operating in Tamoun in the northern Jordan Valley opened fire on a vehicle driving in the village. The occupants were identified as Ali Bani Odeh, 38; his wife, Waad Bani Odeh, 36; and their sons Othman, six, and Mohammad, five.
Soldiers removed two other children from the vehicle, Khaled, 11, and Mustafa, eight, both of whom sustained light shrapnel injuries. Khaled was violently interrogated at the scene. Initially, the military prevented ambulances from reaching the area, allowing medical teams access only after some time. The military confiscated the family’s vehicle, which was riddled with bullets.
In another incident in March, Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian man by tying his genitalia with zip ties and parading him naked in front of his family, according to the victim and witnesses.
Since the start of the year, Israel has killed at least 26 Palestinians in the West Bank, with at least 18 shot by the military.
