Two Palestinians killed by Israeli settler attack in West Bank

Two Palestinians, including a teenage boy, were killed during an attack involving Jewish settlers and Israeli forces in a village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to a report published by BBC News on 21 April. The incident has drawn renewed attention to rising tensions and violence in the region.

Local officials reported that the attack occurred in the village of al-Mughayyir, where armed settlers and soldiers allegedly approached the area and opened fire near a school. The mayor of the village stated that around ten settlers arrived alongside Israeli troops before shooting toward the school grounds, causing panic among students and residents.

The victims were identified as 14-year-old Aws al-Naasan and 32-year-old Jihad Abu Naim. Palestinian authorities said the deaths were caused by “settler gunfire”, while the Israeli military stated that soldiers had been deployed after reports that stones were thrown at an Israeli vehicle carrying civilians. According to the military, a reservist exited the vehicle and opened fire at suspects, and troops later attempted to disperse what they described as a “violent confrontation.” Officials added that the incident is currently under review.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion and fear as the situation unfolded. One resident explained that the school community reacted quickly to protect children, saying that families were called to escort students home. He reported that “the settlers shot from one side and the army from the other,” highlighting the intensity of the violence during the incident. Video footage shared online reportedly shows gunfire near the school gates, as parents and emergency responders rushed to reach the injured.

The Palestinian foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack, calling it a coordinated act of violence. The incident comes amid what the United Nations has described as a surge in settler-related violence across the West Bank. According to UN data, at least ten Palestinians had been killed and hundreds injured in settler attacks since the beginning of 2026, with many families also displaced due to ongoing insecurity and property damage.

Human rights organisations have raised concerns that extremist settlers may be operating with limited accountability. The West Bank has remained a focal point of conflict since Israel occupied the territory during the 1967 Six-Day War. Today, millions of Palestinians live in the area alongside Israeli settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.

BBC News, Maghrebi.org