Israeli Settler Violence Surges in West Bank, Palestinians Targeted

A recent wave of violence by Israeli settlers has escalated tensions in the occupied West Bank, with dozens targeting Palestinian farmland, a warehouse, and a Bedouin village on Tuesday. Several Palestinians sustained injuries, highlighting growing concerns over settler aggression coinciding with the annual olive harvest season.

The attacks come amid a surge in settler violence documented by the UN’s humanitarian office, which reported that October saw the highest number of violent incidents by settlers in nearly two decades. These incidents often involve vandalism, property destruction, and attacks on Palestinians and volunteers assisting during the harvest.

Footage from the attacks shows masked settlers on hillsides east of Tulkarm setting fire to a warehouse in Beit Lid and tents in the Bedouin village of Deir Sharaf. Palestinian Authority Minister Muayyad Shaaban described the attacks as part of a broader campaign to create a “hostile environment through intimidation and terror.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intervened to disperse the confrontation, detaining several Israeli civilians after settlers attacked soldiers. Israeli police reported the arrest of four suspects in connection with the incidents.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the violence as “shocking and serious,” emphasizing that attacks against civilians and IDF personnel “cross a red line.” Major-General Avi Bluth, head of the IDF Central Command, also condemned the actions, stating they undermine regional security and must be firmly addressed.

UN data indicates that settler attacks during the olive harvest are reaching unprecedented levels. In October alone, over 260 attacks were reported, averaging eight incidents per day. Around 150 attacks targeted Palestinian olive harvesters, resulting in injuries to more than 140 Palestinians and the destruction of over 4,200 trees and saplings across 77 villages. Since January, 1,500 settler attacks have been documented.

The olive harvest is a critical source of income for Palestinian communities, making these attacks particularly damaging economically and socially. Peace Now, an Israeli settlement watchdog, reports that West Bank settlements are expanding rapidly, with tenders for 5,667 new housing units already issued in 2025 to accommodate approximately 25,000 residents. Pro-settler Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has actively prioritized settlement construction and land appropriation in the West Bank, undermining the potential for a future Palestinian state.

The violence has also claimed the lives of civilians. Hundreds attended the funeral of 13-year-old Aysam Mualla in Beita near Nablus, who succumbed to injuries after inhaling tear gas fired by the IDF while harvesting olives near a settler outpost last month.

The recent escalation underscores the ongoing humanitarian and security challenges in the West Bank, as settlers continue to clash with Palestinians and volunteers during the crucial harvest period. The international community continues to call for accountability and stronger measures to protect civilians and prevent further violence.