politics
Israeli settler attacks shift to heart of territory earmarked for Palestinian state
Report says West Bank violence moving from Israeli-controlled areas to those under direct Palestinian rule
TL;DR
- Violent Israeli settler attacks in Areas A and B of the occupied West Bank have nearly doubled since 2025.
- This represents a shift from Area C, where most attacks previously occurred, indicating a change in settler strategy.
- Settlers are establishing new farming outposts in Areas A and B, described as 'strategic' locations where most Palestinian daily life occurs.
- The Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din reports that this strategy aligns with government policy and aims to annex West Bank territory with fewer Palestinians.
- International concern is growing, with the US and Europe imposing sanctions on settlers and pro-settler figures, including Israel's national security minister.
- According to the UN, approximately 190 settler attacks occurred per month in the first four months of 2026, projecting over 2,000 attacks by year-end.
- Yesh Din concludes that the strategy aims to make the area 'Palestinian free,' which it describes as ethnic cleansing.