A Palestinian man has been shot dead and several others wounded in a violent rampage by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. The town of Turmusaya was subjected to an onslaught as hundreds of armed settlers set homes and cars ablaze, leaving residents fearing for their lives. One resident accused the Israeli army of leaving them helpless for 45 minutes during the attack, claiming that they provided an opportunity for the settlers to carry out their assault.
The attack is believed to be a reprisal following the funeral of a 17-year-old Israeli settler who was among four individuals shot dead by Palestinian gunmen at a petrol station the previous day. While the Israeli military condemned the settler attacks, questions regarding the speed and nature of their response remain unanswered.
The incident raises concerns about a potential escalation of violence in the West Bank, particularly after a recent Israeli military raid in the city of Jenin, which resulted in the deaths of seven Palestinians. The raid involved intense fighting, with Israeli forces employing an Apache attack helicopter to fire missiles at militants who had targeted troop carriers with explosives, leaving seven Israeli soldiers injured. The casualties included two 15-year-olds and two militants from the Islamic Jihad group.
In response to the Jenin incident, hard-line pro-settler ministers in Israel’s religious-nationalist coalition have called for a full-scale military operation in the West Bank, including airstrikes to destroy Palestinian buildings. One member of parliament even advocated for “collective punishment” against ordinary Palestinians.
Footage from Turmusaya showed cars engulfed in flames and thick black smoke billowing above the town. The sound of tear gas or stun grenade blasts could be heard in the background. Mayor Lafi Adeeb reported that approximately 400 settlers rampaged through the town, setting homes and cars on fire. He stated that five residents were hit by live ammunition.
Confrontations erupted between Israeli forces and some residents who attempted to defend the town during the attacks. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that 27-year-old Omar Qateen was shot dead by Israeli forces while confronting the settlers. Israel’s paramilitary border police claimed that their forces were securing firefighters when residents “rioted,” and troops fired at a man who shot at them. The circumstances of Qateen’s death have not been independently verified by the BBC.
Turmusaya is known for its strong American ties, with many residents holding dual US citizenship. Sam Abdullah, a resident, recounted how his daughter, who was visiting from the US, was targeted by settlers who aimed a gun at her and attempted to set their house on fire. Abdullah criticized the Israeli army for the delayed response, stating that it took them 45 minutes to arrive, providing the settlers with the opportunity to carry out the attack.
Another resident shared her terrifying experience when settlers attacked her home while her children were hiding in the basement. She expressed gratitude that the youth of the town came to their aid, enabling her children to escape unharmed.
The Israeli military issued a statement condemning the violence and confirming that security forces entered the town to extinguish fires, prevent clashes, and gather evidence. The statement also mentioned that Israeli civilians had left the town, and the Israel Police had launched an investigation into the event.
The attacks in Turmusaya followed a night of settler violence in other parts of the West Bank. Residents in the village of Al-Lubban Al-Sharqeya reported that Israeli soldiers and police stood by as a large group of settlers burned a petrol station, orchards, a cement factory, and dozens of cars.
Settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this classification. The international community has expressed growing concern over settler attacks in the West Bank, particularly in light of the deadly rampage in the Palestinian town of Hawara earlier this year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the violence, stating, “We will not accept any challenge against the police and the security forces in these places and anywhere. We are a country of law.” Urgent action is needed to de-escalate tensions, protect innocent lives, and work towards a peaceful resolution in the region.
