Dozens of Palestinian villagers were attacked by Israeli settlers overnight in response to the killing of four settlers in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to a Palestinian official who monitors settler violence. The official, Ghassan Douglas, reported that at least 37 villagers were injured by live or rubber-coated bullets, stones, or tear gas. Additionally, 147 vehicles were damaged, including an ambulance, and 23 houses and 16 shops were damaged. Crops in fields were also set on fire.
This recent violence is reminiscent of settler attacks that occurred in and around the village of Huwara in February, following the killing of two Israeli settler brothers. The commander of Israeli forces in the West Bank referred to the February attacks as a “pogrom,” drawing parallels to historic ethnic violence targeting Jews.
The attacks on Tuesday took place across a wide area of the northern West Bank, from Turmus’ayya east of Ramallah to Deir Sharaf west of Nablus, approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Jerusalem.
Different Israeli officials have expressed varying messages in response to the shooting of the settlers. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari urged people not to take the law into their own hands. However, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, speaking at the scene of the killings near Eli, called on settlers to arm themselves to avoid becoming vulnerable to Palestinian attacks.
The IDF, which had increased its troop numbers in the area after the February attacks, did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment on the overnight violence.
Prior to these incidents, an Israeli raid in the tense city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank resulted in a massive firefight, leaving at least seven Palestinians dead and dozens wounded. The following day, two Palestinian gunmen shot dead four Israelis near the settlement of Eli. Both gunmen were subsequently killed by Israeli forces. Hamas, the Palestinian militant movement, claimed the gunmen as members and stated that the attack was a “natural response” to the Israeli raid on Jenin.
In response to these events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to approve approximately 1,000 new homes in Eli. Netanyahu emphasized the need to strike forcefully against terrorism and build up the country. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had previously announced plans to approve the construction of 4,560 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank, including some in Eli. The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to CNN’s inquiry about whether the latest units in Eli were in addition to the homes announced on Sunday.
CNN’s Hadas Gold contributed to this report.
palestine
Number of Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank, including Huwara. The Israeli settlers reportedly targeted Palestinian villagers, causing numerous injuries and extensive damage to property.
Ghassan Douglas, a Palestinian official who monitors settler violence, reported that at least 37 villagers were injured during the attacks. These injuries were caused by live or rubber-coated bullets, stones, and tear gas. In addition to the injuries, 147 vehicles, including an ambulance, were damaged, and 23 houses and 16 shops were also affected. The settlers also set fire to crops in fields, causing further destruction.
This incident is reminiscent of previous settler attacks that occurred earlier this year in and around the village of Huwara. In February, after the killing of two Israeli settler brothers, similar attacks took place. The Israeli forces’ commander in the West Bank referred to these attacks as a “pogrom,” drawing comparisons to historic acts of ethnic violence targeting Jews.
The attacks on Tuesday were carried out across various Palestinian villages, highlighting the widespread nature of settler violence in the region. This alarming trend of targeted attacks against Palestinian villagers continues to exacerbate tensions and contribute to the cycle of violence in the occupied West Bank.
The cycle of violence continues to claim innocent lives as the recent killing of Israeli settlers in the West Bank triggers a violent backlash. It is disheartening to witness such retaliatory acts, which only deepen the divisions and hinder the chances for peace in the region. It is high time for all parties involved to prioritize dialogue, understanding, and de-escalation to break this vicious cycle of violence once and for all.