Violence flared across the occupied West Bank as Israeli settlers torched homes, burned vehicles and assaulted Palestinians during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, escalating tensions in a territory already on edge. Palestinian medics said several people were injured as residents tried to defend their communities. The attacks — carried out across multiple villages — are the latest in a surge of settler violence that critics say is reshaping the conflict on the ground. Holiday Turns to Flashpoint The assaults unfolded Saturday near the northern West Bank cities of Jenin and Nablus, according to Palestinian officials. Witnesses reported settlers setting fire to buildings, vandalising property and attacking Palestinians who tried to intervene. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said at least three people were hospitalised after being beaten or sprayed with pepper spray. The Palestinian news agency WAFA said six communities were targeted in the coordinated wave of attacks. Army Condemns Violence — But No Arrests Israel’s military said troops were deployed to several villages after reports of civilians committing arson and disturbances. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said it “condemns any form of violence” and would act to maintain security and public order. Yet by Sunday, authorities reported no arrests linked to the attacks. Earlier this week the army’s chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, described extremist settler violence against Palestinians as “morally and ethically unacceptable”. Escalation Amid Regional War The latest clashes come amid a broader surge in tensions following the war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran on 28 February. Observers say the conflict has emboldened hardline settler groups, intensifying attacks in the West Bank. Violence by settlers — long a feature of the occupation — has sharply increased in recent months. Rights organisations accuse Israeli authorities of failing to protect Palestinian communities and, in some cases, turning a blind eye to attacks. Settlements Deepen the Political Deadlock Israel captured the West Bank during the Six-Day War in 1967 and has since overseen the expansion of settlements widely considered illegal under international law. More than 500,000 Israelis now live in settlements across the territory, alongside roughly three million Palestinians. In 2024, the International Court of Justice said Israel must halt settlement activity and evacuate settlers from occupied Palestinian territory — a ruling Israel rejects. As settlement expansion continues and violence escalates, diplomats warn the prospect of a two-state solution is slipping further out of reach. West Bank: Israeli settlers torch homes, beat Palestinians
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