Jewish Settlers Vandalize Palestinian Property and Block Access in West Bank Villages

Violence by Jewish settlers, known as Hilltop Youth, continues in the West Bank, with recent incidents involving property damage and blockades in Palestinian villages. On Tuesday, footage emerged showing settlers vandalizing Palestinian property near the Christian village of Taybeh, northeast of Ramallah. The settlers, reportedly from the illegal outpost "Tel Talpiot," erected a sukkah outside Palestinian homes, fenced off access paths with barriers, cut electricity cables, and damaged solar panels and water pipes. Palestinian residents claim that an IDF territorial defense unit cooperated with the settlers to remove Palestinians from the area.

Additionally, the settlers imposed a siege on two Palestinian homes in the village of Qusra in northern Samaria. Last Thursday, Palestinians reported that a group of Jewish rioters set fire to five homes near Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, injuring six people, including three girls, one boy, a 35-year-old woman, and a 22-year-old man. Video footage from the attack showed the rioters setting fires, damaging solar panels, and spray-painting slogans such as "The Land of Judea is Approaching," before retreating.

The IDF condemned these attacks, stating the suspects fled before soldiers arrived. Israeli police entered the area overnight with IDF support to collect evidence for investigation. The IDF emphasized its strong condemnation of such acts, especially those harming civilians, including women and children, and expects law enforcement to prosecute the perpetrators.

Amid rising tensions in the West Bank, it was reported last week that Shin Bet field agents supported issuing administrative detention orders against Jewish suspects involved in nationalist crimes. However, Shin Bet chief David Zini opposed this measure, believing other tools could address Jewish rioters. The Shin Bet declined to comment on internal discussions.