Settler Attacks South of Nablus, 28 Families in East Jerusalem Area Face Eviction

Settlers launched coordinated attacks on villages south of Nablus early Wednesday, burning numerous vehicles and machinery. Simultaneously, Israeli assaults continued against Bedouin communities east of Jerusalem, raising fears of displacement for dozens of families.

In the village of Lubban al-Sharqiya, south of Nablus, settlers broke into an area called Harat al-Qanater and set fire to a vehicle scrapyard, destroying many vehicles belonging to locals and the scrapyard owner. Local sources reported that residents attempted to extinguish the blaze before Israeli forces entered the village. In another incident, settlers targeted the industrial zone in the town of Beita, also south of Nablus, setting fire to six vehicles and pieces of machinery, including a bulldozer. Several citizens were trapped in the area and called for firefighting assistance.

These attacks are part of a surge in settler violence across the West Bank, which includes property destruction, vehicle arson, and assaults on homes and agricultural lands. There are growing concerns about the escalation of these attacks and their impact on Palestinian lives and property.

Meanwhile, residents of Bedouin communities near Khan al-Ahmar, southeast of occupied Jerusalem, are under increasing pressure that threatens their displacement. These communities face repeated settler attacks and restrictions imposed by occupation authorities. The Tubna Bedouin community, home to 28 families, is particularly at risk of eviction. Residents report attacks on homes, stone-throwing, destruction of water networks, and restrictions on their livelihoods, primarily livestock herding.

Beyond settler violence, Israeli authorities are imposing building and renovation restrictions through notices from the so-called "Civil Administration." This hinders improvements to housing and meeting the growing needs of the families. The area's strategic location on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho makes the presence of Palestinian communities an obstacle to settlement expansion plans, notably the "E1" plan, which aims to connect settlements east of Jerusalem and isolate Palestinian areas.

The residents of Tubna, who settled in the area decades ago after being displaced in 1948, rely on grazing and livestock for their livelihood. Restrictions on access to water and fodder, coupled with ongoing attacks, have worsened their economic and humanitarian situation, making their continued presence precarious. The incidents in southern Nablus and the mounting pressure on Bedouin communities east of Jerusalem highlight ongoing fears about the repercussions of Israeli actions on Palestinian presence, with dozens of families facing the threat of losing their homes and livelihoods.