The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, issued strong warnings about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the occupied West Bank. Albanese affirmed that settler attacks have reached dangerous levels, calling on the international community to intervene immediately to deploy a protective presence to safeguard Palestinian civilians from systematic assaults.
In an escalatory move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued directives to establish new settlement outposts deep in the West Bank, in response to confrontations that resulted in the deaths of two Israelis. These decisions come amidst a charged atmosphere following the martyrdom of four Palestinians in clashes near the 'Havat Gilad' settlement and the village of Tel, occupied since 1967.
The town of Aqraba, south of Nablus, witnessed a widespread attack carried out by more than 200 settlers under the protection of the occupation army, leading to the complete and partial burning of three homes. Local sources reported that settlers targeted facilities and vehicles, while residents were unable to accurately assess the damage due to the army's incursion into the town after the settlers withdrew.
In a related context, the village of Surra, southwest of Nablus, was subjected to brutal attacks including the burning of six homes and five vehicles, in addition to setting fire to dozens of agricultural dunams. The attack resulted in three citizens sustaining various injuries due to severe beatings by armed settler groups who stormed the area.
Attacks were not limited to Nablus but extended to villages east of Qalqilya, where eight Palestinians were injured in the village of Fara'ata, six of whom were hit by live ammunition. Eyewitnesses described what happened as a bloody day par excellence, as groups of masked and armed settlers spread out in the fields and main roads to terrorize the residents.
On the ground, occupation forces imposed a tight siege on Nablus Governorate, closing all roads leading to the town of Huwara, which isolated the governorate from its surroundings. This closure coincided with Israeli threats to launch a large-scale military operation in the area, including an arrest campaign targeting a number of citizens in the affected villages.
Medical sources reported that a Palestinian sustained serious head injuries while confronting settler attacks, while ambulances were heavily pelted with stones at the Za'atara checkpoint. Settlers attempted to obstruct the access of medical teams to the injured by damaging vehicle tires, in a blatant violation of international laws that guarantee the protection of relief teams.
In the village of Tel, a state of sadness and anger prevailed following the martyrdom of four citizens from one family by occupation and settler bullets, amid accusations of carrying out field executions. While the occupation claims that the martyrs carried out a shooting operation, residents confirm that they were acting in self-defense against a sudden attack targeting their homes in the eastern part of the village.
Official Palestinian data indicates that settlers have carried out more than 3,500 attacks since the beginning of this year, most of which were concentrated in the governorates of Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron. This escalation, according to observers, aims to create an expelling environment for the indigenous population to push them towards forced displacement and facilitate illegal settlement expansion operations.
For its part, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned these attacks, holding the occupation authorities fully responsible for the consequences of this escalation, which is taking place under the protection of soldiers. The organization warned that the continuation of this policy will lead to more violence and instability in the entire region, calling on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities.
In Jordan, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned against pushing the West Bank towards a comprehensive explosion due to unilateral Israeli measures and the continued terrorism of settlers. Safadi affirmed that the absence of international accountability encourages the occupation to proceed with settlement and displacement policies that undermine the chances of a just peace.
Villages south of Nablus are living in a state of cautious anticipation amid the continued Israeli military build-up and threats to raid the homes of martyrs in the village of Tel. Citizens fear a new wave of night attacks that settlers may launch on isolated villages that lack security protection, while occupation forces are busy securing settler movements.
Videos circulated by activists documented moments of settlers attacking citizens' property in the village of Jit, where flames were seen rising from agricultural facilities. The videos show the participation of occupation soldiers in providing protection to settlers while they carry out burning and sabotage operations, which refutes the official narrative about attempts to control violence.
The scene in the West Bank remains open to all possibilities, with the Israeli government's insistence on legitimizing settlement outposts and expanding settler influence. Palestinians believe that their steadfastness on their land is the last line of defense against annexation and displacement plans that have accelerated at an unprecedented pace in recent months.
Gangsters of terrorist settlers, backed by Israeli soldiers, are literally calling for bloodshed in the West Bank.
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Escalation of settler violence in the West Bank: Homes burned and widespread injuries amid calls for international protection