Extremist Jewish settlers have carried out a spate of attacks on Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to homes, vehicles, and agricultural fields. The violence began after a teenage settler, 18-year-old Yehuda Sherman, was killed on Saturday after reportedly being hit by a vehicle driven by a Palestinian while on his quad bike. Police are investigating whether the hit was deliberate or accidental.
In response, WhatsApp groups used by settlers called for a revenge campaign over his death. More than 20 settler attacks were reported overnight, according to an Israeli defense official. The violence has surged since tensions escalated after the US and Israel attacked Iran, with six Palestinians reported killed by settlers since early March.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dispatched troops to several Palestinian villages, where attacks included acts of arson and disturbances. Villages such as Jalud, Qaryut, al-Funduqmiya, and Silat al-Dhah were particularly affected.
Footage appeared to show settlers in black clothing engaged in violent acts, while eyewitness accounts described scenes of chaos, with ambulances responding to the injured. At least three Palestinians were hospitalized after confronting the attackers. Comments shared in settler WhatsApp groups revealed a sentiment for vengeance and a clear call to action following the death of Sherman.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the assaults, emphasizing the systematic targeting of civilians and their properties. The international community, including the EU and UK, has called on Israel to halt the settler violence that has intensified since the onset of recent conflicts.
In a broader context, since the beginning of the year, the UN reported that seven Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers, highlighting the escalating violence against Palestinian communities in the region. Israel's settlement policies in the West Bank are widely viewed as illegal under international law, intensifying tensions between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the occupied territories.
