A wave of violence has struck several Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank, where extremist Jewish settlers carried out coordinated attacks, setting fire to homes, vehicles and farmland.
The incidents followed the death of an 18-year-old Israeli settler, Yehuda Sherman, who was killed on Saturday after being struck by a vehicle while riding a quad bike. Authorities are still investigating whether the incident was intentional or accidental.
In the hours after his death, messages circulated in settler WhatsApp groups calling for retaliation. According to Israeli media reports citing security sources, more than 20 separate attacks were recorded overnight.
Israeli forces confirmed that troops and border police units were deployed to multiple locations after receiving reports of arson and unrest involving Israeli civilians. Among the affected communities were Jalud, Qaryut, al-Funduqmiya and Silat al-Dhah.
Images and videos shared online, though not independently verified, showed fires, damaged buildings and emergency responders at the scene. Some footage appeared to show groups of masked individuals entering villages, while graffiti calling for revenge was reportedly left on walls.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that at least three Palestinians sustained head injuries during confrontations and were taken to hospital. Local authorities also reported damage to infrastructure and property.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks, describing them as acts of violence against civilians and property, and noting that they occurred during the Eid al-Fitr period.
Israeli police said five individuals were arrested near Deir al-Hatab. They also reported that a police officer was injured during clashes with civilians near the Itamar settlement. Authorities stated they would act firmly against violent individuals.
An Israeli human rights organization, Yesh Din, criticized the response of security forces, alleging that the attacks were not prevented despite prior warnings.
Tensions in the West Bank have intensified in recent weeks, with the United Nations reporting a rise in settler-related violence since early March. Several Palestinians have been killed in incidents involving settlers and Israeli forces since the beginning of the year.
Political reactions within Israel have also emerged. Opposition figure Yair Golan accused the government of failing to maintain order, warning that unchecked violence risks further destabilizing the situation.
The broader context remains deeply complex. Israel has established numerous settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1967, areas Palestinians claim for a future state. These settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law.
The latest developments highlight growing instability in the region, as cycles of violence continue to fuel tensions between communities.
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