Israeli settlers target Palestinian villages in occupied West Bank, attacking people and properties
Israeli Settlers Launch Attacks on Palestinian Villages Amid Escalating Tensions
Following the death of 18-year-old Yehuda Sherman, a settler killed in a hit-and-run incident involving a Palestinian driver, Jewish extremists in the occupied West Bank intensified their assaults on Palestinian communities. Over 20 attacks were reported in a single night, according to Israeli media sources, with settlers targeting homes, vehicles, and farmland in multiple villages. The violence, described by a defence official as a coordinated wave of assaults, has drawn condemnation from international observers and local authorities.
Triggered by a Tragic Death
Sherman’s death occurred on Saturday after he was struck by a vehicle while riding a quad bike. Israeli police are investigating whether the collision was intentional or accidental. In response, settlers used WhatsApp groups to rally support for a “revenge campaign,” with messages calling for retaliation and the expulsion of Palestinians. One such post declared,
“Jews won’t remain silent over spilled Jewish blood.”
Another urged,
“We demand vengeance and expulsion of the enemy.”
The surge in settler violence coincided with heightened tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran following the latter’s military actions. The United Nations noted that six Palestinians had been killed in attacks by settlers since March 1st. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces deployed troops and border police to several villages after reports of civilian extremists setting fires and causing unrest. Villages like Jalud, Qaryut, and al-Funduqmiya were among those affected, with residents facing destruction and displacement.
Testimonies and Visual Evidence
Footage circulating online, though unverified by the BBC, depicted over 90 individuals in black clothing—many masked—storming Jalud. The clips showed burning vehicles, shattered windows, and emergency sirens as ambulances arrived. A photograph from the scene featured the phrase “Avenge Yehuda” spray-painted on a structure, symbolizing the settlers’ motive. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that three Palestinians sustained head injuries during confrontations with the attackers in Jalud, with some settlers also reportedly wounded.
Israeli police confirmed that five individuals were arrested near Deir al-Hatab, while one officer was injured during an altercation with civilians near the Itamar settlement. Officials emphasized their “zero tolerance” policy toward extremist violence, highlighting the ongoing threat to Palestinian communities. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers continued blocking roads in protest, with unconfirmed reports of another car wash being torched northwest of Nablus.
International and Domestic Reactions
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks as an act of terror, citing the destruction of homes, targeting of key infrastructure, and civilian casualties during Eid al-Fitr. Yesh Din, an Israeli civil rights group, labeled the violence a “night of pogroms,” accusing security forces of failing to prevent the assaults despite prior warnings. The group’s statement on X noted,
“Despite prior knowledge of the planned attacks, forces once again failed to prepare accordingly. No preventive measures were put in place to stop the pogroms.”
At Sherman’s funeral, over 500 attendees gathered, including Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has faced sanctions for inciting anti-Palestinian violence. The EU and UK recently called on Israel to curb the rising tide of settler attacks, which have intensified since Iran’s military campaign began on February 28th. According to the UN, 15 of the 25 Palestinian deaths linked to settler violence since the start of the year occurred during this period. Center-left Democrat leader Yair Golan criticized the government, writing on X:
“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.”
