--- title: "Escalating violence in the occupied West Bank leaves Palestinian family vulnerable to repeated settler attacks" url: https://noti.group/escalating-violence-in-the-occupied-west-bank-leaves-palestinian/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-10-19T12:30:22.000Z updated: 2026-10-19T16:43:43.258Z id: 787e0b03-92f7-4357-b210-9cba1061bfda source: "Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/10/19/the-night-watch-palestinians-protecting-their-homes-from-settler-pogroms?traffic_source=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/escalating-violence-in-the-occupied-west-bank-leaves-palestinian/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Escalating violence in the occupied West Bank leaves Palestinian family vulnerable to repeated settler attacks Abdul Rahman Jabr's home has been targeted multiple times by Israeli settlers since a major incident over a year ago, leaving him feeling helpless and despairing. A Palestinian man's life has been turned upside down by repeated attacks on his home in the occupied West Bank. Abdul Rahman Jabr, 32, has seen his house targeted multiple times by Israeli settlers since a major incident over a year ago. The village of al-Mughayyir, where Abdul Rahman lives with his family, has a long history of settler violence. His own home is located on the outskirts of the village and was built in early 2023 just before his marriage. The house now serves as a refuge for his wife and their two-year-old daughter. Abdul Rahman's vehicle was set ablaze by settlers in April 2024, and his home's windows have been smashed with stones. He estimates that his property has been targeted numerous times over the past year alone. In just one week, settlers reached his property seven times, prompting him to stay at home instead of going to work. The repeated attacks have left Abdul Rahman with a sense of despair and helplessness. He feels he cannot rely on anyone for protection from the settlers. He told Al Jazeera that he has taken matters into his own hands by installing barbed wire around his house and an iron fence, but admits this is no guarantee against future attacks. These measures may be insufficient to prevent further attacks, but they are all Abdul Rahman can do without any external support. His primary concern remains the safety of his family, and he feels forced to prioritize their well-being over his own needs and daily routine. The escalating violence in the West Bank has led many Palestinians to take matters into their own hands, installing fences around their homes to deter settler attacks. These makeshift barriers have become a common sight in Palestinian neighborhoods, as residents try to safeguard their families and property from marauding settlers. According to local reports, some households have even resorted to erecting these fences at their own expense, after repeated appeals for help fell on deaf ears. The number of settler attacks has skyrocketed since Israel's conflict with Gaza began in October 2023. Official figures reveal that between October 7, 2023, and October 4, 2026, there were a staggering 14,742 incidents targeting Palestinians, their land, or properties. In the first seven months of this year alone, the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission recorded 4,113 attacks, representing a 63 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. This surge in violence has not only caused physical harm but also disrupted daily life for Palestinian farmers, who have been targeted while harvesting olives. As residents struggle to cope with the escalating threat, some communities are taking steps to organize their own defense systems. In Sinjil, a group of young men has formed an unofficial guard committee to protect local families and homes from settler attacks. Every evening, 20 to 30 volunteers gather at strategic locations in Sinjil that have been used by settlers as launchpads for their raids into the area. The Israeli army has responded to these efforts with force, arresting six members of the neighbourhood watch and leaving at least 10 others injured. It appears Israel is attempting to dismantle this community-led initiative. Basel, a local resident who was part of one such group, recounted an incident in which soldiers fired tear gas canisters into their tent in Jabal al-Batin, causing widespread suffocation among the group before demolishing and confiscating the structure. Despite these dangers, Palestinians are determined to remain on their land and resist the efforts of settlers to seize it. They refuse to abandon their homes and allow their properties to be taken over by others. Nasr Radwan, a 53-year-old landowner in Beitillu, has seen his property repeatedly targeted by settlers. His family's 1,500 dunums of land contains over 100 springs, but the presence of an outpost nearby has led to attacks on their crops and assaults on their family members. The night watch: Palestinians protecting their homes from settler attacks continues unabated. Last Saturday's incident saw settlers attacking a family while they were harvesting olives on their land, smashing vehicle windows and beating one of them. The family has been trying to protect its 1,500 dunums of land for the past three years, but it's become increasingly difficult with settlers attempting to seize control. To prevent access by car, the settlers have even blocked a road leading to the land, forcing family members to make the 5km journey on foot. For Nasr and his relatives, being present on their land is a constant risk, not just for their livelihoods but also for their lives. They're well aware of this danger, yet they refuse to abandon their ancestral property, knowing that if they do, it will be lost forever. The family's situation is far from unique; many West Bank villages face similar threats from settlers who are largely sanctioned by Israeli authorities. This lack of protection means Palestinian residents have no effective recourse when attacked, leaving them vulnerable to ongoing assaults with little chance of justice or accountability. Human rights groups have documented the failure of Israeli authorities to prosecute settlers for violent acts against Palestinians. According to Yesh Din, only 3 percent of reported cases since 2005 have resulted in convictions by the end of last year. The Palestinian community has been forced into self-protection measures due to the persistent settler attacks on their homes and lands. According to Omar Rahhal, director of the SHAMS Center for Human Rights in Ramallah, these measures are merely a temporary solution to the ongoing problem of settler violence. The Israeli government's policies, including the allocation of funds to settlements, have created an environment where settlers feel empowered to carry out attacks with impunity. The presence of Israeli soldiers during these attacks is particularly concerning, as it suggests that they are either unable or unwilling to protect Palestinian civilians from harm. --- Source: [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/10/19/the-night-watch-palestinians-protecting-their-homes-from-settler-pogroms?traffic_source=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/escalating-violence-in-the-occupied-west-bank-leaves-palestinian/