Death toll from Israeli settler attacks spirals in ‘most violent’ year for West Bank
Fayha Shalash reports in Middle East Eye on 3 September 2026:
During a settler attack aimed at stealing sheep, the Israeli army killed a Palestinian boy and a young man on Wednesday evening in the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Omar Muhammad Na’san, 19, and Khalil Rasem Shahada, 16, were shot dead by Israeli soldiers.
Marzouq Abu Na’im, a member of the village council and an activist documenting settler attacks there, told Middle East Eye that armed settlers attacked a house to steal livestock. The Israeli army then stormed the village to provide protection for the settlers and took up positions on the roof of the targeted house. “The settlers stole the sheep and attacked the homeowners, who were unable to resist or object due to the heavy presence of soldiers and snipers on the roof,” he said.
Na’san, whose house is next to the targeted house, went outside to see what was happening – an Israeli sniper positioned on the roof of the house shot and killed him.
Then, Rasem Shehadeh came out of his house on the opposite side after hearing residents screaming from their windows. He had barely moved a few metres outside his door when soldiers also shot him, according to Abu Naim.
Both of them bled for some time while an ambulance was prevented from reaching them. Coordination was eventually made through the military liaison office to transport them, but they had already died. “Their blood filled the ambulance because of the severity of the bleeding. The paramedics tried to resuscitate them, but they had already passed away. Meanwhile, the settlers managed to steal the sheep and left under the protection of the army,” he continued.
Escalating attacks
Since the beginning of the year, five Palestinians from the town have been killed, three of them by settlers. Human rights organisations have warned of the escalating settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, which are taking an even deadlier turn under the protection of the Israeli army.
According to a report by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, 2,030 attacks were carried out during August, 1,402 by soldiers and 628 by settlers. Settler attacks were concentrated particularly in Ramallah and al-Bireh (157 attacks), Nablus (137), and Hebron (120).
The report also stated that settlers attempted to establish 32 new settlement outposts during August.
Joint attacks by soldiers and settlers on agricultural land damaged 21,508 trees, including 19,375 olive trees. Furthermore, 164 Palestinians were directly affected by settler attacks, including 20 children and 17 women.