A wave of violence erupted in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, as dozens of masked settlers descended upon two Palestinian villages, igniting vehicles and clashing with Israeli soldiers dispatched to quell the unrest. The attacks represent a dangerous escalation in ongoing tensions.
Footage circulating online revealed the aftermath: charred trucks consumed by flames, a nearby building ablaze, and a scene of widespread destruction. This incident is not isolated; settler violence has surged dramatically since the outbreak of conflict two years ago, intensifying during the annual olive harvest.
Israeli police reported arresting four individuals suspected of involvement in the “extremist violence,” while the military confirmed four Palestinians sustained injuries. Investigations are underway, involving both police and Israel’s internal security agency.
The violence unfolded against a backdrop of profound grief and a measure of closure for one Israeli family. Tens of thousands gathered for the funeral of Lt. Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier whose remains were returned from Gaza after eleven years.
Goldin’s return, secured through a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, marked the end of a long and agonizing search for his family, who had tirelessly campaigned for his release. He became a symbol of national loss, his image a constant reminder of those missing in action.
However, the return of Goldin’s remains does not erase the pain of others. The bodies of four additional hostages, taken during the October 7th attack, remain in Gaza, their fate uncertain.
The United Nations has documented a disturbing trend: October witnessed more Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank than any month since records began in 2006, exceeding 260 incidents. This surge fuels accusations of inaction against the Israeli army and police.
Palestinian officials claim the Israeli government, heavily influenced by West Bank settlers, provides protection and impunity to those responsible for the attacks. They are calling for international sanctions against groups perceived as supporting this “colonial settlement terrorism.”
International condemnation arrived swiftly. French President Emmanuel Macron, during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, denounced the escalating settler violence and the expansion of settlements, warning of their destabilizing effect on the West Bank.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Displaced Palestinians are increasingly reliant on charity kitchens for their only daily meal, as soaring prices and a lack of income create desperate conditions.
Images from Nuseirat refugee camp show scores of people, many children, queuing with empty pots, hoping for a portion of rice – the only food available that day. One displaced resident poignantly remarked that rising living costs have become the “hardest weapon” used against them.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reports a staggering death toll, now exceeding 69,182 Palestinians. While the figures don’t differentiate between militants and civilians, the ministry states that over half of those killed were women and children.
This grim statistic stands in stark contrast to the initial trigger for the current conflict: the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals.
Adding to the political complexities, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Cabinet Minister Ron Dermer, announced his resignation on Tuesday, citing family reasons. He had previously extended his term to address the Iranian nuclear program and secure the release of hostages.
The dismantling of the tunnel shaft where Lt. Goldin’s body was found was announced on Tuesday, marking a final, somber step in the long process of bringing him home. The military had previously determined he was killed in 2014, shortly after a ceasefire took effect.
At Goldin’s funeral, eulogies from family and friends focused on his life and the years of uncertainty, notably absent was any mention of Prime Minister Netanyahu, despite his long tenure during the search for Goldin’s remains. The gratitude was directed towards the soldiers who dedicated years to the search.
