Israeli settlers killed three Palestinians in Kafr Malik, a village near Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. This violence occurred on Wednesday night, and video footage showed a car and house on fire. Gunfire echoed through the area as Palestinians fled the scene, adding to the chaos.
Israeli Military Responds to Settler Violence
When Israeli forces arrived, they found settlers and villagers throwing stones at each other. The military claimed that “terrorists” fired at soldiers and threw stones. In response, the forces returned fire and arrested five people. Moreover, they asserted that they identified hits from their return fire.
Palestinian Ministry Condemns the Attack
The Palestinian foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “terrorist assault” by settlers. Additionally, the ministry accused Israeli forces of blocking ambulances and fire crews from reaching the wounded for several hours, further exacerbating the situation.
The Issue of Israeli Settlements in the West Bank
Since 1967, Israel has constructed around 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements house approximately 700,000 Jews. Palestinians view this land as part of a future state. The international community, however, largely deems the settlements illegal, a stance upheld by the International Court of Justice. On the other hand, Israel disputes this position.
Another Attack in Taybeh
Shortly after the Kafr Malik attack, settlers launched another assault in Dar Fazaa, near Taybeh. Israeli human rights group BTselem reported that settlers injured three people and torched three cars. CCTV footage clearly showed masked men setting one car on fire and throwing stones, intensifying the violence.
Political Tensions and International Calls for Action
Palestinian Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh accused the Israeli government of orchestrating the violence. He argued that the violence was a political decision aimed at escalating tensions. Furthermore, he urged the international community to intervene urgently and protect Palestinians. He warned that Israel’s actions could lead to further violence in the region.
Increase in Settler Violence and Settlement Expansion
Settler violence has dramatically increased since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023. According to the UN, there were 487 settler attacks in the first four months of 2024, resulting in casualties and property damage. Moreover, human rights organizations report that Israeli forces often stand by and allow these attacks to happen.
Under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s leadership, Israel has expanded its settlements. The Israeli government has approved 49 new settlements and is in the process of legalizing seven unapproved settler outposts. Critics argue that this expansion prevents the creation of a Palestinian state, deepening the conflict.
Israeli Forces’ Ongoing Operations in the West Bank
In a separate incident, Israeli forces killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy in al-Yamoun, near Jenin. The military claimed that “terrorists” threw explosives at its forces, prompting them to fire back. Since October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 949 Palestinians in the West Bank, further escalating the violence.
Impact of Israeli Military Operations
The UN’s human rights chief has criticized Israel’s military operations in the West Bank. He argued that the operations have led to widespread destruction and displacement of Palestinians. As a result, over 40,000 Palestinians have been displaced and cannot return to their homes for at least a year.
