Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank are reportedly exploiting movement restrictions during the ongoing war with Iran to attack Palestinians. Rights groups and medics indicate that these actions have resulted in at least five Palestinian deaths since the U. S. and Israel began airstrikes against Iran on February 28. A sixth Palestinian died from teargas inhalation during one of the settler assaults, according to the Israeli rights group B’Tselem. The Israeli military has imposed severe movement limitations, closing many roads in the West Bank with iron gates and earth mounds, hindering ambulances from reaching victims swiftly.
The Israeli military asserts that these measures are necessary to conduct airstrikes against Iran and the Hezbollah group, which has launched missiles at Israel. However, residents in remote villages claim these roadblocks leave them vulnerable to violence from settlers. The military continues its routine operations in Palestinian areas to arrest individuals, often without charges. They maintain that they do not obstruct medical teams and allow their movement in the West Bank.
Malak Beirat’s husband, Thaer, was one of two Palestinians shot dead by settlers in Abu Falah, north of Ramallah, during a violent confrontation. Witnesses reported that over a hundred settlers gathered, prompting local men to defend their village. Thaer was killed while trying to protect homes from attackers. Blood was found at the scene, and villagers placed flags for the victims. A third Palestinian died from teargas effects during the incident. The Israeli military has stated that it is investigating the events and condemning violence.
Medics complain that the new roadblocks have caused delays in aiding injured Palestinians. Reports indicate that there have been over 109 incidents of settler violence since the war’s start, including shootings and property damage. B’Tselem notes that all Palestinian fatalities caused by settlers this year occurred in the past week. Instances include the shooting of Amir Muhammad Shanaran near Hebron and brothers Muhammad and Fahim ‘Azem in Qaryut.
Activists argue that settler groups, often backed by the military, are taking advantage of the conflict to intimidate and displace Palestinian communities. Many settlers reportedly wore military uniforms during these attacks. Palestinians claim that the military protects settlers rather than local people, a point the military denies. Indictments for settler violence remain infrequent, with only 2% of documented cases resulting in charges since the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023.
The United Nations has stated that nearly 700 Palestinians were displaced from the beginning of 2025 to early February 2026 due to settler violence. The Israeli government has increased settlement expansion, with new initiatives aimed at undermining the prospect of a Palestinian state. As of 2024, over 700,000 settlers live in the territories captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war, which many in the international community consider illegal under international law.
With information from Reuters
