In a disturbing escalation of violence, Israeli settlers launched a large-scale attack on the Palestinian town of Jab’a, southwest of Bethlehem, on Monday evening. The assault resulted in the torching of three homes, multiple vehicles, and farmland, leaving residents traumatized and suffering significant material losses. The targeted properties belonged to Raafat Hilal Mashaaleh, Muhammad Musa Musa, and Yusuf Ahmad Musa, who recounted the harrowing experience of being attacked by approximately 50 assailants. Mashaaleh, who sustained injuries during the attack, described the settlers’ brutality, emphasizing that even children were not spared. CCTV footage captured the settlers entering the village, with some seen setting objects alight. Videos shared online show vehicles and homes engulfed in flames as residents desperately tried to extinguish the fires. The fire spread rapidly after lithium batteries in the cars ignited, causing extensive damage. Mashaaleh, who managed to put out the blaze with the help of neighbors, expressed gratitude for their safety but lamented the financial devastation. This incident marks the third settler attack on Mashaaleh’s home and one of dozens in the town recently. The Israeli military confirmed the attack and stated that a search for those involved is underway, though no arrests have been made. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence, labeling the perpetrators as ‘extremists’ and vowing to address the issue personally. Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also criticized the settlers, emphasizing that their actions harm Israel’s reputation and the settlement project. The recent surge in settler violence has raised concerns within Israel, with fears that such attacks could provoke a Palestinian response. The security establishment has acknowledged its limited capacity to curb the violence, with one official warning of the potential for deadly consequences. The attack in Jab’a echoes the 2015 arson attack in Duma, which claimed the lives of three members of the Dawabsheh family. As settler violence continues to escalate, particularly since the onset of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, the occupied West Bank remains on edge, with residents facing daily threats to their safety and livelihoods.