Israeli settlers step up raids on Palestinian homes

Israeli settlers have continued raids on Palestinian property in the occupied West Bank as regional tensions rise, Middle East Eye reported on June 17th.

The Settlers attacked Palestinian property and started fires near Ramallah, Nablus, and Qalqilya. In al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya, east of Ramallah, settlers vandalised and set fire to property on the evening of June 14th.

A group attacked an industrial facility and smashed the windshield of a vehicle. Abdel Samad Abdel Aziz, the facility’s owner, stated that 70 settlers targeted the factory, trying to destroy it. Locals gathered to stop them.

Settlers also attempted to burn several homes, but residents safeguarded their homes. The Israeli army intervened against the Palestinians rather than dispersing the settlers.

Attacks continued in other areas, which included stone-throwing at vehicles near Jericho. Armed settlers have levelled Palestinian land in Yasuf, while assaults have increased since 2022 with government backing.

As attacks from settlers continue to rise, Middle East Eye reported on May 1st and Maghrebi cited that Israeli settlers targeted a Palestinian family’s property near the Hamra military checkpoint, located in Jordan Valley.

The settlers stole dozens of livestock, slashed water tanker tires, destroyed tents, and damaged solar panels. Reports added that Israeli forces tightened restrictions at Tayasir and Hamra checkpoints, preventing Palestinians from crossing.

Additionally, according to another report by Middle East Eye on May 6th, groups of Israeli settlers entered the grounds of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem under heavy police protection. The settlers toured the site in what local sources termed as a provocative scene.

A far-right rabbi, Shimshon Alboim, joined them. Israeli police imposed restrictions on Palestinian worshippers, seizing identity cards and limiting entry. Extremist groups urged officials to allow unrestricted settler access on May 26th.

Middle East Eye, Maghrebi