Violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has escalated since Israel imposed movement restrictions following the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, according to Palestinian authorities and rights groups. Military roadblocks and curbs on crossings have delayed ambulance access, leaving Palestinian communities increasingly exposed.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Mourners carry the body of Thaer Hamayel, who was one of three Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli settler attack, during their funeral in the village of Abu Falah near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 8, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Torokman REFILE – ADDING NAME OF PERSON KILLED
Since February 28, when the strikes against Iran began, at least five Palestinians have been killed by settlers, and a sixth man died from teargas inhalation during an attack, according to the Palestinian health ministry and Israeli rights group B’Tselem.
Wartime Roadblocks and Military Presence
Israel’s military blocked numerous roads in the West Bank with iron gates and earthen mounds at the start of the war, citing preemptive security measures amid ongoing airstrikes against Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Palestinians say the restrictions have made it difficult for medical crews to reach injured civilians and have increased settler attacks in isolated villages.
“The roadblocks and attacks by settlers and the military have created major obstacles for medical crews,” said Ahmed Jibril, spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Mourners carry the body of Thaer Hamayel, who was one of three Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli settler attack, during their funeral in the village of Abu Falah near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 8, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Torokman TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Fatal Attacks on Villagers
Among the victims, Thaer Hamayel was shot dead while defending a house in Abu Falah from settlers. Witnesses reported that over 100 settlers initially engaged in stone-throwing before armed settlers opened fire. Bloodstains remain in olive groves near the village, where Palestinian flags have been placed to mark the victims.
Other recent fatalities include Amir Muhammad Shanaran near Hebron, and brothers Muhammad and Fahim ‘Azem in Qaryut, southeast of Nablus. B’Tselem noted that settlers often operate with military support, and some shooters wore Israeli army uniforms.
Settlement Expansion and Displacement
The violence comes amid Israel’s ongoing settlement expansion. On Wednesday, Right-wing Israeli minister Yossi Dagan announced a new settlement overlooking Nablus, part of a broader plan to establish 22 settlements.
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Mourners gather near the bodies of three Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli settler attack, during their funeral in the village of Abu Falah near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, March 8, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammed Torokman
According to a 2024 EU report, over 700,000 Israeli settlers live among more than 3 million Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The United Nations and most of the international community consider these settlements illegal under international law, a view Israel disputes.
Rare Accountability
Indictments for settler violence remain uncommon. Yesh Din, an Israeli monitoring group, reported that only 2% of hundreds of documented cases since the 2023 Gaza war led to indictments.
Rights groups say settlers are taking advantage of the wartime context to harass Palestinian communities, intensifying fears of displacement and undermining hopes for a future Palestinian state.
