Why are Israeli settlers on a rampage in the occupied West Bank? | Explainer News
Escalating Violence in West Bank: Settlers Torch Mosques and Detain Palestinians
Israeli settlers, accompanied by military forces, have intensified their actions in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to at least two mosques and detaining dozens of Palestinians. This unrest follows the fatal shooting of four Palestinians by Israeli forces earlier this week in the town of Tal, located near Nablus.
The situation has left many Palestinians on high alert, particularly after tensions escalated on Friday when nearly 30 settlers attempted to break into homes in Tal, near the unauthorized Israeli settlement of Havat Gilad. Eyewitness accounts describe a violent confrontation, during which settlers opened fire, resulting in multiple injuries.
Two Israelis were also killed in the encounter, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce a significant military response. He stated the military is prepared to “act more broadly in terrorist strongholds,” directing troops to search villages for weapons and make arrests.
In a report from Qusra, southeast of Nablus, village council head Abdel Azim Wadi confirmed the burning of a mosque, with attackers leaving behind graffiti in Hebrew that included messages of “Jewish revenge.” This village has reportedly faced repeated assaults since 2011, with incidents increasing since the onset of conflict in Gaza.
In another incident near Kour, settlers attempted to set fire to another mosque but were thwarted by local worshippers. Additionally, video footage from Beit Furik captured settlers igniting a Palestinian home, although residents managed to control the fire.
Israeli Army Radio reported at least 30 instances of settler attacks throughout the Palestinian territories since Friday. Such incidents have risen significantly, with a documented 63 percent increase in violent acts attributed to settlers in the first half of 2026, compared to the previous year.
Since October 2023, the occupied West Bank has seen over 1,180 Palestinian deaths, including 250 children. So far in 2026, at least 87 Palestinians have been killed, with 21 deaths attributed to settlers.
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society reported that recent raids in the Nablus governorate resulted in the detention of about 80 individuals, many of whom have since been released. However, around 18 detainees, including children, remain in custody.
Local reports paint a grim picture of daily life in the West Bank, with residents feeling isolated and under constant threat. Al Jazeera correspondent Nour Odeh noted that many Palestinians are forced to remain vigilant through the night to protect their homes and families from settler-led violence.
