In the occupied West Bank, incidents of violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinian residents have seen a marked increase since Israel imposed stringent movement restrictions in response to the ongoing conflict with Iran. These restrictions, which began on February 28, coincide with Israel’s military operations targeting Iranian and Hezbollah positions, significantly altering the daily lives of Palestinians in the region.
On the very first day of the war with Iran, Israeli authorities sealed off numerous roads throughout the West Bank using iron gates and earth mounds, effectively limiting mobility. Additionally, crossings between the West Bank and Israel have been largely closed, further isolating Palestinian communities. The Israeli military has defended these measures as necessary precautions during its airstrike campaigns against Iranian targets and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that has launched missile attacks in support of Tehran.
The Palestinian health ministry has reported that since the commencement of these airstrikes by the United States and Israel, at least five Palestinians have lost their lives due to settler violence in the West Bank. An Israeli human rights organization, B’Tselem, added that a sixth individual died after inhaling tear gas during one of these violent episodes. The situation has left Palestinians in remote villages particularly vulnerable, as the new roadblocks not only expose them to increased settler aggression but also hinder ambulances from reaching those injured in a timely manner.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred before dawn on a recent Sunday in Abu Falah, a village north of Ramallah, where two Palestinians were fatally shot. Among the victims was Thaer Beirat, remembered by his wife Malak as a man who cherished life and whose death came as a devastating shock to his family. Witnesses recounted that over 100 settlers gathered on the outskirts of Abu Falah, prompting villagers to organize a defense through a local WhatsApp group. What began as a confrontation involving stone-throwing escalated dramatically when armed settlers arrived and opened fire. Thaer Beirat was reportedly shot while attempting to shield a home from attack. The aftermath was still visible the following day, with bloodstains in nearby olive groves where villagers placed Palestinian flags to honor those who were killed.
In addition to the fatalities from gunfire, a third Palestinian succumbed to injuries likely caused by tear gas deployed by Israeli troops stationed in the village during the attack. The Israeli military has announced an investigation into the incident and condemned all forms of violence, though critics argue that such statements fall short of addressing the root causes of the unrest.
Medical personnel operating in the West Bank have expressed growing frustration over the new obstacles they face. Ahmed Jibril, spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance service, highlighted that not only do roadblocks delay emergency responses, but there have also been instances of attacks on medical teams by both settlers and military forces. This severely hampers efforts to provide timely care to those injured in violent clashes.
Monitoring groups such as Yesh Din have documented over 109 cases of settler violence since the conflict with Iran intensified, encompassing shootings, physical assaults, property destruction, and threats. B’Tselem noted that all Palestinian deaths caused by settlers this year have occurred within the past week alone, underscoring a sharp escalation. Among the victims were Amir Muhammad Shanaran near Hebron and brothers Muhammad and Fahim Azem in Qaryut, southeast of Nablus. Reports indicate that in several shootings, the assailants were disguised in Israeli army uniforms, a claim that has yet to receive an official response from the military.
Palestinians frequently accuse the Israeli military of siding with settlers rather than protecting Palestinian villagers, an allegation the military denies. Furthermore, Yesh Din points out that prosecutions related to settler violence remain exceedingly rare. Since the Hamas attacks in October 2023, only about 2 percent of hundreds of documented cases have resulted in indictments, reflecting a broader pattern of impunity.
Compounding the security concerns, the United Nations reports that nearly 700 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence between early 2025 and February 2026. Meanwhile, Israel continues to expand its settlements in the West Bank. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has openly stated that the construction efforts aim to diminish the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state. Recently, right-wing minister Yossi Dagan announced the creation of a new settlement overlooking Nablus, part of 22 new settlements approved by the Israeli government last May.
Palestinians aspire to establish an independent state encompassing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem—territories Israel captured during the 1967 Six-Day War. Currently, over 700,000 Israeli settlers reside in East Jerusalem and the West Bank alongside more than 3 million Palestinians, a 2024 European Union report. The majority of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, a position Israel disputes, further complicating prospects for peace in the region.
