TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from Israel: Sky News, The Independent.
UK coverage: Sky News.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank have increased significantly. The UN has recorded 102 attacks by settlers targeting Palestinians or their property, an average of more than seven per day. Witnesses and verified footage have shown the escalating violence and tension in the region, with settlers attacking Palestinian homes and even funeral processions. The Israeli government’s support for settlements and the language used by government ministers have contributed to the dangerous situation, with little accountability for settler violence.

According to a report from Sky News, even before the war in Gaza, 2023 was set to be the West Bank’s deadliest year on record. UN figures show that up to 19 September, 25 Israelis had been killed by Palestinians and 189 Palestinians were killed by Israelis – the highest since data collection began in 2008. Since the war began, the UN has recorded 88 killings of Palestinians by Israelis since 7 October, with one Israeli killed by Palestinians. The violence against Palestinians has increasingly come not just from Israeli soldiers, but also civilian settlers. The UN has recorded 102 attacks by extremist Israeli settlers targeting West Bank Palestinians or their property, an average of more than seven every day, compared to three per day before the war started.

Sky News has spoken to witnesses and verified footage from two attacks in different regions of the West Bank since 7 October, showing how they were able to unfold in the presence of Israeli forces. The deadliest settler attack in years took place on 11 October in the town of Qusra, near Nablus, four days after the Gaza conflict began. Settlers attacked the house of Maad Awda, resulting in the death of Maad and three others. The next day, as locals gathered to pay their respects, the funeral procession was attacked, resulting in the death of Ahmed Al-Wadi and his father Ibrahim Al-Wadi. The footage shows Israeli police arriving to a tense scene, and shots being fired near the attendees.

The Independent reports that the West Bank could turn into another front in Israel’s war as violent clashes have surged since the attacks by Hamas. More than 80 Palestinians have been killed and almost a thousand injured in the West Bank by Israeli forces and settlers since the Hamas attack two weeks ago. The rise in violence has led to apprehension that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government may try to carry out a full takeover of the West Bank. There are claims of alleged complicity by the security forces in the actions of settlers, and there is open support for Hamas and Islamic Jihad among many young Arabs.

The situation in the West Bank is dire, with escalating violence and tension between Israeli settlers and Palestinians. The attacks by settlers have increased significantly since the start of the war in Gaza, with an average of more than seven attacks per day. The Israeli government’s support for settlements and the language used by government ministers have contributed to the dangerous situation, with little accountability for settler violence. The West Bank could potentially become another front in Israel’s war as violent clashes continue to surge. The rise in violence has led to concerns that the Israeli government may attempt to fully annex the West Bank. The situation calls for urgent international attention and efforts to de-escalate the violence and protect the lives of Palestinians.