Red Cross warns of rising violence in West Bank, impact on civilians

More than 100 Israeli settlers launched a violent assault on a village in the northern West Bank on Tuesday, causing injuries to members of Israel's security forces. The attack occurred as the military tried to help a Palestinian family return to their home, which had been displaced two months prior by settler violence. This incident drew strong criticism from Israeli officials.

One individual was arrested, and two minors were taken into custody for questioning. The military reported that over 100 settlers were involved in the violence, which involved blocking roads, setting tires ablaze, throwing rocks, and burning Palestinian houses and vehicles. Three Israeli Border Police officers were lightly injured, and one security vehicle was damaged.

The settlers prevented the family's return, having occupied the house two months earlier. Mahmoud al-Toubasi, a family member, recounted that they had been displaced after facing settler attacks and that the attack prevented their return. Israel has controlled the West Bank since 1967, where around 500,000 Israeli settlers reside among a population of three million Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog condemned the attack, emphasizing that such actions are forbidden and have no justification. Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023, violence in the West Bank has escalated, resulting in at least 1,111 Palestinians, including civilians and fighters, and at least 49 Israelis, including security personnel, being killed in clashes.