UN warns settler attacks in West Bank have displaced 880 Palestinian families

The spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, Stephane Dujarric, has warned that attacks by settlers in the occupied West Bank have led to the displacement of roughly 880 Palestinian families.

Dujarric cautioned during a press briefing on Friday that ongoing violence and coercive practices by Israeli forces and settler groups in the West Bank led to injuries, property destruction, and forced displacement.

“Overall, since January 2023, and as of 16 February, some 880 Palestinian families, that’s over 4,700 people, have been displaced across the West Bank due to settler attacks and access restrictions,” he noted.

Dujarric highlighted that Israeli forces killed three Palestinians between February 3 and 16, raising the total for this year to nine, which includes two children.

Palestinian Authority forces fatally shot a young boy in Tammoun during an effort to detain his father, the spokesman stated.

“During the same period, at least 86 Israeli settler attacks were recorded, during which over 60 Palestinians were injured, and some 146 people were displaced. People in 60 communities have been impacted by the attacks,” he added.

Dujarric also pointed to a specific incident, noting that the UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemns the murder of Nasrallah Abu Siam, a 19-year-old dual citizen of Palestinian-American descent who was shot and assaulted in an attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Mukhmas.

“The secretary-general calls for a prompt, thorough, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of this incident and for those responsible to be held accountable. And he urges the government of Israel to take concrete steps to halt and prevent all acts of violence by Israeli settlers against the Palestinian population, and that would be following their obligations as the occupying power,” the spokesman said.

Over 80 countries condemn Israel’s ‘unlawful’ settlement expansions in West Bank

More than 80 countries condemn Israel’s decision to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank as “unlawful” and in violation of international law.

A local Palestinian official was injured on Thursday evening when a group of illegal Israeli settlers stormed a village in the northern occupied West Bank.

Local sources reported that about 30 illegal settlers invaded al-Malih village and attacked council chief Mahdi Daraghmeh, resulting in his need for medical attention. He was moved to a local healthcare center.

During the raid, the illegal settlers also vandalized Palestinian property and set vehicles on fire. Israeli forces later entered the village following the assault.

On Friday, in another incident, a Palestinian woman sustained injuries when illegal settlers assaulted residents in the Masafer Yatta region, south of al-Khalil.

Osama Makhamra, a field activist with the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, reported that armed illegal settlers stormed Fadel al-Hamamda's residence in the village of Khirbet al-Mafqara and attacked his family members

He stated that Khadra al-Hamamda suffered from bruises and contusions and was transported to a hospital for care.

The assaults come amid increased tensions in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinian communities have experienced rising violence from illegal settlers in recent months.

Last week, the Israeli regime approved measures intended to modify the legal and civil structure in the West Bank – steps Palestinians claim are meant to deepen Israeli dominance over the area.

Since the onset of its military campaign in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israel has increased its activities in the West Bank, particularly in East al-Quds. Palestinians see the escalation – including killings, abductions, displacement, and settlement growth – as a move toward the official annexation of the land.

In a landmark ruling in July 2024, the International Court of Justice deemed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land unlawful and demanded the removal of all settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds.

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