Settlers rampage through South Hebron villages, torch homes and steal livestock
A fire in the Palestinian village of Khirbet al-Fakhit in the southern Hebron Hills in the West Bank, on 27 January 2026
Matan Golan reports in Haaretz on 27 January 2026:
Settlers raided the three Palestinian villages of Khirbet al-Fakhit, Khirbet Tibnah, and Khirbet al-Halawa in the southern Hebron Hills in the West Bank on Tuesday, setting at least one of them on fire, according to Palestinian reports.
Residents said two people were wounded in the attacks and called for ambulances and fire trucks, but reported that emergency services were initially blocked from reaching the scene. Palestinian sources said the raid began when a settler from an outpost adjacent to Khirbet al-Halawa attacked local residents.
Despite the presence of Israeli security forces, settlers reportedly moved between the villages, stealing flocks of sheep. Locals said the violence continued even as security forces were present.
Separately, on Monday night, settlers from an outpost near the Palestinian settlement of Susiya uprooted 500 olive trees belonging to Palestinians near a military base. The area is under a military zone order prohibiting Israeli access. Palestinian sources said the attack was carried out in retaliation for a court-ordered removal of trees planted by settlers on private Palestinian land. The settlers also sprayed graffiti on local homes.
Earlier on Tuesday, security sources told Haaretz that masked settlers attacked a house and set several vehicles on fire in Beit Fajjar, in the Bethlehem area. They sprayed graffiti in Hebrew, including “Judea is Awakening” and a Star of David. Stones were thrown at nearby homes, and local reports said live fire was used, though no injuries were reported.
The attacks were launched from an outpost established just over a week ago deep in Area B. Hours after Israeli forces cleared the makeshift settlement in the morning, settlers reportedly rebuilt it by midday.
The raids in Khirbet al-Halawa and surrounding villages are ongoing, with residents issuing repeated distress calls as the violence spreads to nearby communities.
This article is reproduced in its entirety