Israeli settlers have set fire to a Palestinian warehouse and farmland in the occupied West Bank. This brazen act points to an alarming uptick in violent incidents. In addition, this act is being committed just during the important olive harvest period, when families depend on their lands for an income.
The Arson Assault Unfolds
Dozens of masked settlers stormed the Bedouin village of Kaabna near Jericho. They torched a key warehouse packed with agricultural goods. In addition, flames devoured nearby fields, leaving scorched earth behind. Witnesses report that settlers arrived armed with clubs and torches. They chased away farmers before setting the fires. Quick action by locals limited the blaze, but damage remains extensive.
Surge in Attacks Across the Region
Violence has spiked sharply since mid-October. The United Nations counted 264 settler attacks last month alone, the highest since records started in 2006. Furthermore this trend ties to the ongoing Gaza war, which began in 2023. Palestinian health officials note over 1,000 deaths from Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank since then. On the other side, 43 Israelis have lost their lives in Palestinian assaults.
Human Toll and Property Loss
Many Palestinians suffered injuries in the Kaabna clash. Medics treated burns and wounds from stones and beatings. Earlier that week, settlers hit another site near Tulkarm, hurting four more at a dairy factory. Destroyed trucks and groves threaten livelihoods. Therefore families face hunger and hardship this winter.
Authorities Respond with Condemnation and Arrests
Israel’s military chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, condemned the acts strongly. “We strongly condemn them,” he declared. Troops dispersed the crowds and arrested several suspects. Police gathered evidence for further probes. Meanwhile Palestinian leaders urge the world to intervene. They demand protection for vulnerable communities.
This surge demands urgent peace efforts. Without them, cycles of revenge will deepen divisions further.
