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, reportedly after 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 to Sherman’s death, WhatsApp groups associated with settlers called for a 'revenge campaign.' Israeli media reported that more than 20 settler attacks were documented overnight following his demise. Settler violence has surged with the onset of aggressive confrontations since the US and Israel began military actions against Iran, resulting in the deaths of six Palestinians by settlers since March 1, according to the United Nations.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) deployed troops and border police units into several Palestinian villages on Saturday night after receiving reports about acts of arson and disturbances caused by Israeli civilians. Numerous villages, including Jalud, Qaryut, al-Funduqmiya, and Silat al-Dhah, were targeted during these attacks. Video footage purportedly displayed various masked individuals attacking the village of Jalud, accompanied by images showing destruction, including vehicles set ablaze and homes vandalized with slogans like 'Avenge Yehuda.'
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that at least three Palestinians were injured, including individuals suffering head wounds while trying to confront the attackers. In the subsequent unrest, Israeli police arrested five individuals near the village of Deir al-Hatab.
Yesh Din, an Israeli civil rights group, labeled the occurrences as 'a night of pogroms,' criticizing the IDF for failing to prevent these escalating violent incidents despite having prior knowledge of planned attacks. Allegations of Jewish terrorism gaining momentum under the current government's influence were raised by political leaders, highlighting a broader atmosphere of unrest and vulnerable security conditions for Palestinian residents in the territory.
The recent violence fuels ongoing debates and international outcries, with various global leaders calling for urgent intervention to protect Palestinian civilians amidst settlements deemed illegal under international law. Since the beginning of 2026, UN reports indicate that seven Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers and 18 by Israeli forces, raising alarms about the intensification of violence in the area.
