Israeli settlers have torched homes and vehicles in two areas of the occupied West Bank, wounding at least one person, amid reports of violence across the Palestinian territory during the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The attacks occurred late on Saturday, targeting villages south of Jenin and Hebron, according to local Palestinian sources. This escalation marks a significant spike in hostilities as the regional conflict continues to destabilize the broader Middle East.
In the village of al-Fandaqumiya, settlers stormed the area and set homes and vehicles ablaze while damaging additional structures by smashing windows. Residents attempted to confront the groups and extinguish the fires, but Wafa news agency reported heavy property destruction occurred. Footage verified by Al Jazeera showed large fires burning inside homes as residents frantically tried to protect their property from the flames.
Further south in Seilat al-Dahr, the settlers targeted several homes and attempted to set them alight while physically assaulting a resident. The assault left the Palestinian injured, and verified footage showed another house engulfed in flames during the incident. Three other individuals were arrested as settlers stormed the area under the protection of Israeli forces near the scene.
Similar violence was reported in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, where settlers wounded two Palestinians during a separate confrontation. Other images shared by Palestinian authorities depicted settler attacks on the villages of Qaryut and Jalud, south of Nablus. In Jalud, a four-wheel-drive vehicle was seen completely burned out following the coordinated assault by the groups.
Violence was reported elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, including near the town of Haris west of Salfit where settlers gathered on the main road. Witnesses stated that settlers pelted Palestinian vehicles with stones, creating a dangerous environment for local drivers commuting through the region. In Ramallah, settlers near Rawabi Square threw stones at passing Palestinian-registered vehicles without causing reported injuries.
Settler violence in the West Bank has intensified in the shadow of Israel’s war on nearby Gaza and regional tensions regarding security protocols. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops and settlers in the West Bank since the conflict began in October 2023. These figures represent a sharp increase compared to prior years according to the latest United Nations security reports.
In late February, Israeli settlers defaced and set fire to a mosque near Nablus during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The United Nations Human Rights Council warned in a new report that Israeli policies are aimed at uprooting Palestinian communities in the region. The report cited the systematic unlawful use of force by Israeli security forces as a primary driver of displacement.
Human rights groups say Israeli authorities have allowed the settlers to operate with total impunity in their attacks against Palestinians throughout the territory. Israeli organisation B’Tselem has also accused its government of actively aiding the settlers’ violence as part of a strategy to cement the takeover of Palestinian land. This accusation suggests a deliberate policy rather than isolated incidents of rogue behavior by individuals.
Elsewhere in the occupied West Bank, two Palestinians were injured on Saturday night by live fire from Israeli forces south of Tulkarem. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that at least two people were wounded after being shot by Israeli forces at the Jabara checkpoint. These incidents highlight the continued risk of injury from both settler groups and state military operations.
The ongoing instability raises concerns about future security arrangements and the potential for further cross-border tensions in the coming weeks. International observers will likely monitor the situation closely for any signs of expanded military intervention or diplomatic engagement. The situation remains volatile as political negotiations continue to stall in the face of escalating ground violence.
