Settler terror in the West Bank: at night, when the militias come

Israeli settlers have escalated attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank over recent weeks, with incidents occurring predominantly at night. According to reports, these assaults involve throwing stones, setting fires, and sometimes leading to the destruction of homes and vehicles. The victims often face arrest by Israeli forces after resisting, and in some cases, they are shot by either settlers or military personnel. As of July 17, 2026, such attacks have become alarmingly frequent, with up to six daily incidents recorded by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Between January 2023 and July 6, 2026, 123 Palestinian communities were partially or fully displaced due to these actions. The pattern of these attacks is consistent. Settlers typically enter villages under cover of darkness, beginning with shouting before launching stone-throwing attacks. This is followed by arson, resulting in damaged property. When villagers attempt to resist, Israeli troops intervene, often detaining them. In severe cases, individuals are killed by settlers or the army. Over the course of this year alone, 77 Palestinians have been killed in such incidents. Villagers find themselves powerless, lacking any security apparatus to turn to for protection. The Israeli military stands at their door, either watching silently or actively participating in the violence. These settlers, referred to as militias, and the military represent two sides of the same coin. The surge in attacks coincides with the upcoming Israeli elections in the fall. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition aim to secure support from right-wing settlers by granting them more autonomy and avoiding legal repercussions. Simultaneously, they facilitate further settlement expansion by clearing land for new housing projects. This strategy leaves Palestinians with limited options, increasing the likelihood of another intifada, a third uprising, within the West Bank. Such an event could provide renewed justification for intensified repression, leading to more deaths and displacement. International efforts to halt these developments remain inadequate. While the European Union has considered sanctions against individual extremist settlers, Germany's opposition to such measures has hindered progress. The focus should instead be on stopping the combined system of state institutions and settlers responsible for displacements. Without intervention, the EU’s commitments to a two-state solution risk becoming mere rhetoric, failing to challenge the ongoing ethnic cleansing of the West Bank. The international community continues to hope for a change in Israeli leadership, despite awareness that even a new government would unlikely alter the status quo regarding West Bank occupation. Meanwhile, Palestinian villages continue to suffer daily, with homes destroyed and residents forcibly relocated. Palestinians lack the luxury of waiting for better times, as their lives are increasingly defined by conflict and instability. The situation underscores the urgent need for decisive action to protect civilian populations and uphold international law. With each passing day, the cycle of violence persists, demanding immediate attention and resolution.