A wave of violent attacks by Israeli settlers swept through multiple Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank on Saturday night, resulting in extensive property damage and numerous injuries. The villages of Jalud, Fandaqumiya, Silat ad-Dhahr and Qaryut witnessed coordinated assaults as settlers set fire to buildings and vehicles while residents desperately attempted to evacuate trapped individuals.
The Israeli military confirmed the arson attacks on Sunday, acknowledging that settlers had targeted Palestinian structures and property across several locations. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least nine Palestinians sustained injuries from physical assaults by settlers, with three victims in Jalud village and six others in communities near Jenin. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported additional injuries but noted no arrests had been made by Israeli authorities.
This escalation of violence followed a fatal road incident on Saturday where an Israeli civilian died after reports indicated a Palestinian vehicle had collided with an Israeli vehicle. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces and border police deployed to multiple Palestinian villages following reports of settler-led arson and disturbances.
The current violence occurs within a broader context of dramatically increased settler attacks against Palestinians since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Palestinian Authority records indicate six Palestinians have been killed in settler attacks since March 1st. According to data compiled by AFP using Palestinian health ministry figures, at least 1,050 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank during the Gaza conflict period. Israeli authorities report 45 Israelis, including soldiers and settlers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during military operations in the West Bank during the same timeframe.