A violent incident occurred in the village of Jalud in northern West Bank on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, as over 100 Israeli settlers launched an attack, resulting in injuries to three border police officers and damage to property. The Israeli military and local residents reported that the settlers had blocked roads, burned tires, and hurled stones at security forces. The incident took place while Israeli forces were escorting a Palestinian family back to their home in Jalud, which they had been forced to leave two months prior due to settler attacks.
The family, accompanied by two military vehicles, was attempting to return to their residence when the settlers, described as "more than 100 rioters" by the Israeli military, began their assault. Mahmoud al-Toubasi, a member of the family, recounted that they were not physically harmed but suffered from tear gas fired by security forces. Their home had been occupied by settlers since their departure two months ago. The Israeli military intervened, dispersing the settlers with the help of border police.
Israeli authorities responded to the incident by arresting one suspect and detaining two minors for questioning. The police reported that a vehicle used by security forces was damaged during the clashes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack, describing it as the actions of a "small group of rioters" that caused significant harm to the community and hindered the security forces' mission.
President Isaac Herzog also denounced the violence, stating that acts of arson, stone-throwing, and attacks on law enforcement officers were strictly prohibited and could not be justified. The incident has sparked concern amid rising tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli settlers and Palestinians have experienced increased violence since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.
According to AFP reports, citing Palestinian Health Ministry data, over 1,100 Palestinians, including combatants and civilians, have been killed in the West Bank since October 7, 2023, as a result of Israeli military and settler actions. In the same period, nearly 50 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations.
The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, with approximately 500,000 Israeli settlers living among around three million Palestinians. The recent surge in violence has raised international concerns, with the United Nations and other parties calling for restraint and a return to peace negotiations.
The incident in Jalud has been described as a rare condemnation by Israeli leadership, with both Netanyahu and Herzog denouncing the settler violence. The event highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in the region, where efforts to achieve peace and stability continue to face significant obstacles.
Key points
- Over 100 Israeli settlers attacked a village in northern West Bank, injuring three border police officers and setting fire to two homes.
- The incident occurred while Israeli forces were escorting a Palestinian family back to their home in Jalud, which they had been forced to leave two months prior due to settler attacks.
- Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog, have condemned the settler violence, describing it as unjustifiable and harmful to the community.
