More than 100 Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Jalud in the occupied West Bank late on Monday, setting fire to buildings and vehicles, stoning Israeli security forces, and blocking roads. The violence erupted as the Israeli military attempted to escort the Tubasi family back to their home, from which they had been displaced by earlier settler attacks in July.
According to the Israeli military, the family’s return was coordinated, but the attempt was thwarted by the large group of settlers who engaged in “severe violence,” including throwing rocks at soldiers and setting tires ablaze. The military said that additional forces were called in to disperse the rioters and prevent harm to the family. Despite these efforts, the Tubasi family was evacuated about an hour after their arrival. Three people were arrested by Israeli police in connection with the unrest.
The Tubasi family reported that settlers set fire to two of their homes and torched their car during the attack. Mahmoud Tubasi described the destruction of the house and said their experience underscored a climate of insecurity for Palestinians trying to live in the area. The United Nations humanitarian office reported over 1,600 settler attacks on Palestinians this year, marking a sharp rise since 2006 and highlighting the West Bank as a volatile region amid ongoing tensions.
The violence came shortly after the Israeli Supreme Court ordered the military to ensure the Tubasi family’s safe return. The army also confirmed it had taken disciplinary measures against soldiers who were seen fraternizing with settlers in the area, an act that drew widespread criticism.
Settler violence in the West Bank has escalated particularly since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, which was triggered by an attack by Hamas on Israeli territory. At least 23 Palestinians have been killed in incidents linked to settler clashes this year, according to United Nations data. The intensified attacks, which include arson, beatings, and vandalism, have led to mounting international condemnation and increased diplomatic pressure on Israel. Britain, Canada, and France have imposed trade bans on products from Israeli settlements, which the international community largely considers illegal under international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, describing the perpetrators as a “small group of rioters” and stressing that they do not represent the broader settler population. He reiterated that he “strongly” condemns violence against Palestinians. However, critics, including former Israeli military officials and opposition politicians, argue that Netanyahu’s government has failed to curb what they term “Jewish terrorism.” Gadi Eisenkot, a leading opposition figure, described the episode as “a campaign of terror” and attributed the rise in violence to a loss of control under the current administration.
The president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, called the attack “a moral stain” and emphasized the need for full legal enforcement against such actions. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations warn that the combination of settler violence and Israeli movement restrictions is making everyday life increasingly untenable for Palestinian residents in the West Bank.