A violent confrontation between Palestinian farmers and Israeli settlers occurred on September 12 in Wadi Zarqa, near the village of Beitillu in the West Bank, resulting in severe injuries to members of the Radwan family. The incident marked a significant escalation in ongoing tensions over land disputes in the area.
According to the Radwan family, settlers who recently established an outpost on approximately 500 dunams (125 acres) of land in Wadi Zarqa launched a coordinated assault. The father, Ribhi Radwan, 65, and his sons, including Mohammed, 35, and Haitham, 35, had gone to irrigate their vegetable crops despite the removal of electricity lines by settlers, requiring the use of a generator.
Upon arrival, the family was confronted by multiple groups of settlers armed with spiked clubs and stones. Ribhi fled but was stoned by settler assailants. His sons responded to his calls for help, but were pursued and attacked. Mohammed Radwan was overwhelmed by around 15 settlers, who reportedly beat him with clubs, pepper-sprayed him, stuffed dirt into his mouth, and left him under a sheet of tin. One attacker allegedly identified Mohammed as a Palestinian Authority officer and called for his killing.
Mohammed sustained a shattered leg, cracked ribs, and lung damage that required emergency medical intervention. After being rescued by family members and taken to a local clinic, he was transported to Istishari Hospital in Ramallah, where doctors treated his punctured lung and performed surgery on his leg. He remains largely immobile and uses a wheelchair when leaving his bed.
Haitham Radwan, who also suffered leg injuries during the attack, attempted to file a police complaint the following day but was directed to submit it at a different station. As of this report, the family has not successfully filed an official complaint regarding the assault.
The escalation follows a series of hostile actions by settlers since the outpost was established less than four months ago, including the cutting of power lines, property theft, destruction of crops, and intimidation of local residents. Palestinian villagers have organized watch shifts to monitor settler activities, but these efforts have been met with violence, including the torching of vehicles and physical attacks on lookouts.
No Israeli army or police forces intervened during the September 12 attack, according to residents, who expressed skepticism about security forces’ willingness to respond. The incident reflects broader ongoing tensions in the West Bank, where disputes over land ownership and settlement expansion frequently lead to confrontations.
Separately, a shooting attack by Palestinians at the nearby Israeli settlement of Neve Tzuf resulted in the death of a settler on the day of the assault on the Radwan family. In response, Israeli military forces closed the entrances to Beitillu and other villages in the area for extended periods, restricting movement. Observers accompanying journalists reported delays and restrictions on Palestinian residents leaving the village.
The events occurred in the context of continued friction over territory and security in the West Bank, with both sides reporting aggression and accusing each other of violence. The situation remains volatile, with no clear resolution in sight.