As Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza, Palestinian civilians in occupied West Bank are facing an alarming surge in settler violence. With backing of Israeli soldiers and far-right elements within government, Israeli settlers have intensified ir attacks on Palestinian communities, creating an atmosphere of terror and displacement across region.
Rising Settler Attacks in West Bank
Over past year, re have been at least 1,423 recorded incidents of Israeli settler violence in occupied West Bank, according to data from United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This averages to more than four attacks each day, with many of se incidents involving physical assaults, property destruction, and even deaths.
Among most affected areas are governorates of Ramallah and el-Bireh, which recorded 321 incidents, followed by Nablus with 319 incidents, and Hebron with 298. In total, October 2023 saw highest spike in settler attacks, with 233 incidents resulting in death or significant property damage.
Government-Backed Settler Expansion and Armament
Following Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israeli government, particularly far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, distributed thousands of firearms to Israeli settlers. Ben-Gvir, a staunch supporter of settler movement, declared that over 120,000 firearms had been handed out, and more than 20,000 settlers had received conditional approvals to obtain arms.
“We intend to continue arming Israel. That’s what we did, and that’s what we’ll continue to do,” Ben-Gvir announced on social media. His comments have fueled concerns that violence in West Bank could spiral out of control, with settlers emboldened by government support and continuing military presence in region.
distribution of firearms among settlers has coincided with a notable increase in violent encounters with Palestinians. Many of se attacks occur under protection of Israeli soldiers, who frequently fail to intervene, allowing settlers to carry out ir assaults with impunity.
UN Raises Alarm Over Growing Violence
United Nations has expressed grave concerns about rising levels of violence in West Bank. UN officials have warned that situation “could worsen dramatically” if Israeli security forces continue to use unlawful lethal force and neglect violence perpetrated by settlers. UN has called for immediate international intervention to prevent furr escalation and to protect Palestinian civilians, who are increasingly vulnerable to both settler and military violence.
Expansion of Illegal Settlements
As violence escalates, so too does Israel’s expansion of illegal settlements in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law, have been built on land forcibly taken from Palestinian owners. Approximately 700,000 Israeli settlers currently reside in at least 250 settlements and outposts across West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In 2024, Israeli authorities approved construction of about 3,500 new housing units, adding to nearly 20,000 units approved in past year. expansion of se settlements is particularly driven by members of far-right Israeli government, including Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, both of whom are settlers mselves and have vocally supported expansion of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land.
Displacement and Home Demolitions
expansion of settlements and settler violence have led to displacement of thousands of Palestinians from ir homes. In past year alone, over 4,555 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in West Bank after Israeli forces demolished ir homes. At least 1,768 structures have been demolished, seized, or sealed, with highest numbers of demolitions occurring in Tulkarem, Jerusalem, and Jenin.
ongoing demolitions, coupled with daily violence, have contributed to growing humanitarian crisis in region. Thousands of families have been left homeless, while ors live in constant fear of being forced from ir homes or attacked by settlers.
Rising Death Toll in West Bank
violence in West Bank has claimed hundreds of lives since beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza. At least 744 Palestinians, including 164 children, have been killed in West Bank, and more than 6,250 have been injured. Many of se deaths have resulted from settler attacks and clashes with Israeli security forces.
Israeli forces, which continue to carry out operations against alleged militant groups in West Bank, have often been accused of using excessive and disproportionate force against Palestinian civilians. This has fueled anger and despair among Palestinians, who view Israeli government’s actions as part of a broader campaign to suppress ir resistance and furr entrench occupation.
International Calls for Action
Amid rising violence and expanding settlements, re has been growing international criticism of Israel’s policies in occupied territories. Human rights groups and international bodies have called on Israel to halt its settlement expansion and stop violence against Palestinian civilians.
However, Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected se calls, arguing that ir actions are necessary to ensure security in region. Israel’s government maintains that violence in both Gaza and West Bank is a response to threats from militant groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, and that it is not directed at Palestinian people as a whole.
As situation in Gaza continues to unfold, with more than 42,000 Palestinians killed in ongoing war, plight of Palestinians in West Bank remains a critical concern. international community’s response in coming weeks will likely shape future of region, as calls for accountability and justice for Palestinian people grow louder.
