Israeli settlers target Palestinian villages in occupied West Bank, attacking people and properties
Israeli Settlers Launch Attacks on Palestinian Villages in West Bank
Following the killing of 18-year-old settler Yehuda Sherman on Saturday, a wave of violence erupted in the occupied West Bank, targeting Palestinian communities. Extremist Jewish settlers reportedly set fire to homes, vehicles, and farmland, according to a defense official quoted by Israeli media. The attacks, which included over 20 incidents overnight, were spurred by WhatsApp groups that called for a “revenge campaign” after Sherman’s death.
Police are examining whether the collision that killed Sherman was intentional or accidental. Footage circulating online—unverified by the BBC—showed more than 90 individuals in black, some masked, storming the village of Jalud. Other clips captured burning vehicles, shattered windows, and emergency sirens as ambulances arrived. A photograph displayed the phrase “Avenge Yehuda” spray-painted onto a structure in the area.
International Condemnation and Casualties
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the assaults, calling them an act of terror that disrupted celebrations during Eid al-Fitr. At least three Palestinians sustained head injuries in Jalud after confronting attackers, with some settlers also reportedly harmed. Israeli police confirmed five arrests near Deir al-Hatab and noted one officer was injured during a clash with civilians near the Itamar settlement.
“Despite prior knowledge of the planned attacks, forces once again failed to prepare accordingly,” said Yesh Din, an Israeli civil rights group, in a statement posted on X. “No preventive measures were put in place to stop the pogroms.”
Settler violence has intensified since the U.S. and Israel’s military action against Iran began on 28 February. The United Nations reported six Palestinian fatalities from such attacks since 1 March. Meanwhile, the IDF deployed troops and border police to villages like Jalud, Qaryut, al-Funduqmiya, and Silat al-Dhah after receiving reports of civilian-led arson and disturbances.
At Sherman’s funeral, over 500 attendees included far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has faced sanctions for inciting violence. Later that day, Jewish settlers blocked roads in protest, with unconfirmed reports of groups gathering near Nablus to ignite a car wash. The EU and UK recently urged Israel to curb the surge in settler aggression, citing 15 killings since the Iran conflict began.
Yair Golan, leader of Israel’s centre-left Democrats, criticized the government, accusing it of enabling the attacks. He tweeted: “While we fight 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 defense minister. This is a failure of responsibility for Israel’s security.”