Settler Violence and Demolitions Surge in West Bank, East Jerusalem

A report detailing Israeli violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem from September 12-18, 2026, highlights escalating settler activity and demolitions. A significant development is the opening of bids on October 25 for 2,167 settlement units in the E1 area between Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, just two days before the upcoming Israeli elections. This move aims to finalize the marketing of all approved housing units in the project.

In East Jerusalem, settlers established a new outpost in the Khirbet Al-Alawna area of Beit Iksa, the second in four months, and a settler attacked citizens' land in Mikhmas, damaging olive trees and a water source. Israeli forces in Hizma bulldozed land for military roads, demolished eight structures, and uprooted olive trees. In Beit Hanina, two homes were demolished, and demolition notices were issued for several businesses and residential buildings in the Airport Road area of Jerusalem, citing a lack of permits.

Settler attacks were also reported in Hebron, where electricity cables were cut, a home and agricultural room were burned, and racist slogans were scrawled on walls in the Tuwani village. Settlers began constructing new roads in the Masafer Yatta area to access outposts and control land and wells, while Israeli forces forced a family from their home in Huwara. In Bethlehem, an elderly couple was injured in a settler attack near Abu Njeim village, and settlers damaged agricultural land in Rashaydeh.

In the Ramallah area, settlers opened fire on residents in Al-Mughayyer after they attempted to stop a settler attack on a poultry farm, leading to clashes. Two residents of Al-Mughayyer were injured in a separate settler assault. Israeli forces bulldozed land in Al-Mughayyer to facilitate settler movement. A young man was injured in a settler attack in Beitello, and settlers expanded an outpost in Umm Safa. In Deir Dibwan, settlers stole approximately 300 sheep and horses. Settlers also released sheep near homes in Ain Yabrud, and another group attacked the village of Burqa, setting fire to structures. In Kafr Malik, settlers continued to expand a settlement outpost, and in Ni'lin, settlers paved a new road on 70 dunams of olive groves for a new outpost. A young man was severely beaten by settlers near Dir Ghassanah.

In Nablus, settlers, protected by soldiers, attacked homes in Beita, stealing sheep, and set fire to agricultural land in Beit Furik, damaging crops. In Burin, settlers damaged electricity poles. In Salfit, settlers attacked homes in Yasuf, and two residents were injured while on their agricultural land. Israeli forces demolished a Bedouin encampment housing over 20 Palestinians and their livestock in Dier Balut.

In Jenin, settlers grazed livestock on citizens' land in Faqqu'a, leading to clashes where one resident was shot. In Dir Abu Da'if, settlers raised Israeli flags on a house under construction that had received a demolition notice. In the Jordan Valley, settlers destroyed crops, a water irrigation network, and stole a fence in the northern Yarza area.