Settler Attacks Surge in West Bank, Displacing Thousands

Settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank have escalated significantly since the beginning of the year, with over 1,600 incidents recorded by mid-September, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). These attacks, averaging 6.7 per day, have impacted 275 Palestinian communities and resulted in injuries, property damage, or both. The incidents extend beyond direct harm to homes and property, increasingly affecting livelihoods, infrastructure, and essential services, including agricultural lands, crops, trees, irrigation systems, and water and electricity networks.

Recent weeks have seen documented damage to agricultural facilities, including arson in Salfit, and destruction of irrigation systems and olive trees in areas north of Ramallah and in Tubas. Damage to water and electricity networks has caused service disruptions for days in some locations. Residential buildings in Al-Mughayyir, Burqa, and Ras Karkur have also been damaged.

These developments occur as the West Bank prepares for the olive harvest season, raising concerns about a repeat of last year's violence. OCHA recorded 185 settler attacks during the 2025 olive harvest, damaging over 6,000 olive trees. Humanitarian organizations are preparing to support farmers with increased coordination, monitoring, and field presence in at-risk areas.

The impact of settler attacks is also driving displacement. Since the start of 2026, over 4,300 Palestinians have been displaced in the West Bank due to demolitions, evictions, settler attacks, and related restrictions, with attacks and access restrictions accounting for approximately 60% of displacement cases. The UN notes that these attacks and restrictions isolate communities, hindering access to agricultural lands, water sources, schools, and health services.

In addition to settler violence, demolitions of Palestinian structures for alleged unlicensed construction have also contributed to displacement. Over 1,100 structures have been demolished this year, displacing more than 1,500 Palestinians. The total number of displaced individuals from all causes exceeds 4,300. Demolitions have also affected income-generating and agricultural facilities, exacerbating economic and humanitarian pressures.