West Bank

Dozens of Israeli settlers surrounded and barricaded themselves inside a Palestinian home in Qusra, occupied West Bank, attacking residents and setting fire to fields. Several Palestinians were injured by pepper spray. Israeli PM Netanyahu unusually condemned the rioters, calling them lawbreakers who harm Israel’s reputation. The IDF intervened to remove settlers, but Palestinian media accused soldiers of protecting attackers. The incident is part of a surge in settler violence drawing international rebukes, including from the United States.

10 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 30, 04:58 PM UTC

Key European leaders—including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, and Norway—jointly condemned Israel’s advancement of the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, which plans over 3,400 housing units near Jerusalem. They warned the project undermines the two-state solution, violates international law, and exacerbates instability. The UK announced forthcoming sanctions, while Israel’s Foreign Minister rejected the criticism, asserting Jewish rights to the land. Businesses were warned against participating due to legal risks.

6 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 21, 07:12 AM UTC

A wave of violence has erupted in the occupied West Bank, with Israeli settlers going on a rampage that included setting fire to mosques, cars, and farmland, according to Palestinian reports. The unrest follows the killing of four Palestinians and two Israelis. In response, Israeli authorities have detained over 70 suspects and are preparing a major military operation in the region. Multiple news outlets, including Al Jazeera, BBC, AP News, and CNN, are covering the escalating tensions and the subsequent Israeli security crackdown.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 01:33 PM UTC

On July 26, 2026, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank, setting fire to two mosques and spraying Hebrew graffiti including 'Jewish revenge' on walls. The attacks followed a deadly clash on July 24 near the village of Tal, southwest of Nablus, where four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers (one a local security coordinator) were killed after settlers made an incursion. Villagers confronted the settlers, leading to a shootout. The Israeli military condemned the attacks and said it was searching for suspects. Palestinian officials reported a separate arson attempt on a mosque near Kour. The incidents are part of a surge in settler violence since the Gaza war began in October 2023, with dozens of Palestinians killed and hundreds wounded this year, according to UN and Palestinian Authority figures.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 12:20 PM UTC

Israeli forces detained over 70 Palestinians across the occupied West Bank overnight Friday into Saturday following deadly violence in a northern Palestinian village. The clashes resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and four Palestinians. According to the Associated Press, the Israeli military stated that troops conducted searches at more than 300 locations and arrested individuals it described as suspects. The operation was a response to the earlier violence, which has heightened tensions in the region.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 02:45 AM UTC

The Palestinian economy faces a systemic shock as major Israeli banks, Bank Hapoalim and Bank Discount, plan to sever correspondent banking relationships with Palestinian banks by August and September 2026. This move threatens to paralyze the West Bank's financial system, as Palestinian banks rely entirely on Israeli correspondents to process cross-border transactions, settle trade, and manage currency liquidity. In 2025, Israeli banks processed approximately 51 billion shekels for the Palestinian sector. The crisis stems from a collision of anti-money laundering compliance, private sector risk aversion, and political maneuvering. Without these links, imports of fuel and medical supplies could freeze, public salary disbursements would be compromised, and an estimated 18 billion shekels in idle cash would exacerbate a liquidity crisis. The Palestinian Monetary Authority and international institutions have raised alarms over the impending disruption.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 03:55 PM UTC

The Palestinian economy faces a systemic shock as major Israeli banks, Bank Hapoalim and Bank Discount, plan to sever correspondent banking relationships with Palestinian banks by August and September 2026. This move threatens to paralyze the West Bank's financial system, as Palestinian banks rely entirely on Israeli counterparts for cross-border transactions, currency clearing, and trade settlement. In 2025, Israeli banks processed 51 billion shekels for the Palestinian sector. The crisis stems from a mix of anti-money laundering compliance, private sector risk aversion, and political maneuvering. Consequences include a freeze on essential imports (fuel, medical supplies), inability to pay public sector salaries, and a liquidity crisis with 18 billion shekels (nearly $6 billion) sitting idle in vaults. The Palestinian Monetary Authority and international institutions have raised alarms.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 03:55 PM UTC

The Palestinian economy faces a systemic shock as major Israeli banks, Bank Hapoalim and Bank Discount, plan to sever correspondent banking relationships with Palestinian banks by August and September 2026. This move threatens to paralyze the West Bank's financial system, which relies entirely on Israeli banks for cross-border transactions, currency clearing, and trade settlement. In 2025, Israeli banks processed 51 billion shekels for Palestinian banks. The crisis stems from a mix of anti-money laundering compliance, private sector risk aversion, and political maneuvering. Consequences include a freeze on essential imports (fuel, medical supplies), inability to pay public sector salaries, and a liquidity crisis with 18 billion shekels sitting idle in Palestinian vaults. The Palestinian Monetary Authority and international institutions have raised alarms, as 90% of Palestinian exports go to Israel and all imports transit through Israeli ports.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 03:55 PM UTC

On July 24, 2026, the Israeli military shot and killed four Palestinians in the village of Tell in the northern West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The incident followed the killing of an Israeli settler, Benayahu Mellet, during a confrontation with local residents. Two other Israelis and four more Palestinians were wounded. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz called for an 'extensive' counterterror operation, with troops surrounding Nablus. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded the evacuation of villages and mass demolitions. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs documented 32 settler attacks across the West Bank after a previous settler death in March. The exact circumstances of Friday's incident remain unclear, but video evidence shows armed settlers and an Israeli soldier confronting Palestinians in a field.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 03:52 PM UTC

The article reports on escalating tensions in the West Bank, where Israel has begun taking tougher measures against violent Israeli settlers. However, militant settler groups continue their strategy of expelling Palestinians, justifying their actions by citing atrocities committed by Palestinians. The report highlights a cycle of violence and displacement, with settlers viewing themselves as the 'first line of defense.' The piece provides an on-the-ground perspective from the West Bank, noting the ongoing conflict dynamics despite Israeli enforcement efforts.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 10:35 AM UTC

This article from Die Welt reports on the ongoing conflict in the West Bank, where Israel is taking stricter measures against violent Israeli settlers. However, militant groups are persisting with a strategy of displacing Palestinians, using Palestinian attacks as justification. The report highlights the cycle of violence and the competing narratives of defense and expulsion in the region, focusing on the aftermath of an attack near Gush Etzion.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 10:35 AM UTC

A federal appeals court panel, consisting of one George W. Bush appointee and two Donald Trump appointees, overturned a lower court ruling that had freed Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi from ICE custody. The Second Circuit panel ruled that the Vermont-based federal judge lacked jurisdiction to order Mahdawi's release, arguing that only an immigration court could handle his detention challenge as it was tied to his deportation case. Mahdawi, a Palestinian refugee from the West Bank and legal U.S. permanent resident, was arrested in April 2025 during a scheduled citizenship interview, which he described as a 'trap.' His detention was part of a pressure campaign led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who claimed Mahdawi's pro-Palestinian advocacy could undermine U.S. foreign policy. Mahdawi co-founded Columbia's Palestinian Student Union with Mahmoud Khalil, another permanent resident who was detained by ICE. The ACLU provided a statement from Mahdawi criticizing the ruling as a political failure that weakens First Amendment protections for non-citizens.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 03:09 PM UTC

A federal appeals court panel, consisting of two Trump appointees and one George W. Bush appointee, overturned a lower court ruling that had freed Columbia student and pro-Palestinian protester Mohsen Mahdawi from ICE custody. The Second Circuit panel ruled that the Vermont-based federal judge who initially ordered Mahdawi's release in 2025 lacked jurisdiction. Mahdawi, a West Bank refugee, was arrested following a pressure campaign led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who argued Mahdawi's presence could undermine U.S. foreign policy. The article also covers broader political context, including Trump's lack of engagement with congressional Republicans ahead of midterms and a House Democratic investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's alleged foreign agent activities.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 03:09 PM UTC

A federal appeals court panel, consisting of one George W. Bush appointee and two Donald Trump appointees, overturned a lower court ruling that had freed Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi from ICE detention. The Second Circuit panel ruled that the Vermont federal judge who ordered Mahdawi's release in 2025 lacked jurisdiction, arguing that only an immigration court could handle his detention challenge as it was tied to his deportation case. Mahdawi, a Palestinian refugee from the West Bank, was arrested by masked agents during a scheduled citizenship interview in April 2025, which he described as a 'trap.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio had pushed for his deportation, claiming Mahdawi's advocacy could undermine U.S. foreign policy. Mahdawi co-founded Columbia's Palestinian Student Union with Mahmoud Khalil, another permanent resident detained by ICE. Mahdawi's statement, released by the ACLU, condemned the ruling as a political failure that weakens First Amendment protections for non-citizens.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 03:09 PM UTC

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinian men, Odeh Abdul Rahim Odeh Farakhna (53) and Ahmad Adel Rashid Abu Mkhou (26), during a settler attack on the village of Deir Jarir in the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred late Sunday when Israeli settlers, accompanied by army and police, entered the village to retrieve livestock, raiding sheep pens. The mayor said settlers loaded sheep onto a truck, prompting local youths to confront them. The Israeli military stated troops opened fire after Palestinians threw rocks and concrete blocks. Violence in the West Bank has surged since the Gaza war began, with rights groups and the UN reporting near-daily settler attacks. According to an AFP tally, Israeli soldiers or settlers have killed at least 1,090 Palestinians since the war started, while 46 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or military operations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:37 PM UTC

New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is fundamentally changing the UK's stance on Israel and Gaza, marking a sharp departure from predecessor Keir Starmer. In a video address, Burnham apologized for Labour's handling of the Israeli military operation in Gaza, calling Palestinian deaths a 'stain on our collective conscience.' He aims to win back Muslim voters and the party left by advocating for Palestinian state recognition and a more critical approach toward Israel, including potential tightening of import bans on settlement goods. However, his plan faces internal party division and practical challenges due to intertwined supply chains and the UK's £6 billion trade relationship with Israel. The shift also risks conflict with influential strategists and could complicate relations with the US under President Donald Trump.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:40 AM UTC

On July 19, 2026, more than two dozen Israeli settlers, some masked, attacked the Al-Taqwa mosque in the Palestinian village of Al-Tuwani in the occupied West Bank, setting it on fire and spray-painting Hebrew graffiti on its walls. The attackers also torched two houses and a dairy factory run by women from the Masafer Yatta community, according to village council head Mohammed Rabie. Local volunteers extinguished the flames before they spread further. No casualties were reported. Israeli police said they deployed officers and are investigating. Palestinian activist Osama Makhamra noted the attack occurred near an Israeli military watchtower. The Palestinian Religious Affairs Ministry condemned the arson as a 'full-fledged terrorist act.' The incident comes amid a surge in settler violence, with the UN reporting an average of six attacks per day in the West Bank since the Gaza war began in 2023.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 04:39 PM UTC

This City Journal opinion piece by Eugene Kontorovich criticizes New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for selectively invoking international law to target Israel. The article highlights Mamdani's statements about possibly arresting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu based on an ICC warrant, his condemnation of a real-estate fair for Israeli settlements as illegal under international law, and his denunciation of Israel's blockade of Gaza. The author argues that Mamdani misapplies international law, noting that blockades are legal under naval warfare rules and that real-estate fairs do not violate the Geneva Convention. The piece also contrasts Mamdani's stance with U.S. foreign policy, including the State Department's campaign against the ICC and the U.S. enforcement of a blockade of Iran.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 01:14 PM UTC

This City Journal article by Eugene Kontorovich criticizes New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for invoking international law to justify actions against Israel. The author argues that Mamdani uses international law as a euphemism to target Israel specifically, often getting the law wrong. Examples include Mamdani's musings about arresting Israeli PM Netanyahu based on an ICC warrant, condemning a real-estate fair for properties in West Bank settlements as illegal, and denouncing Israel's blockade of Gaza as a violation of international law. Kontorovich counters that blockades are standard naval warfare, that the UN-backed Board of Peace confirmed no humanitarian need in Gaza, and that selling properties in settlements to foreigners (like New Yorkers) is not prohibited by the Geneva Convention. The piece frames Mamdani's actions as ignoring domestic law and overstepping into federal foreign policy.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 01:14 PM UTC

On July 17, 2026, the Irish parliament passed a law banning the import of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, after an eight-year legislative process. The law, originally introduced by Senator Frances Black in 2018, excludes services—which account for about 70% of trade with the region—leading to criticism from opposition and government figures who argue it violates international law. Foreign Minister Helen McEntee acknowledged the incompatibility but said Ireland will push for a broader EU-level ban covering both goods and services. The US Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer urged withdrawal, warning of conflicts with anti-boycott laws in 38 US states. The move follows deteriorating Ireland-Israel relations, including Israel closing its Dublin embassy in December 2024 after Ireland recognized Palestine and supported a genocide case against Israel.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:34 PM UTC

On July 17, 2026, Ireland passed a law banning imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, eight years after the bill was first introduced by Senator Frances Black. The law excludes services, which account for about 70% of trade with the region, drawing sharp criticism from opposition politicians and human rights advocates who argue the loophole undermines international law. Foreign Minister Helen McEntee acknowledged the law is not fully compatible with international obligations, but said the government will push for a broader EU-level trade ban covering both goods and services. The move further strains already cool Ireland-Israel relations, following Ireland's recognition of Palestine in 2024 and Israel's closure of its Dublin embassy. US Congressman Josh Gottheimer urged Ireland to withdraw the bill, warning it could force US companies in Ireland to choose between Irish law and US anti-boycott laws.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:34 PM UTC

According to a report by Anadolu Agency, three Palestinians were injured during incidents involving Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on May 16, 2026. The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that one individual was shot in the thigh with a live bullet in the town of Ez-Zahiriyye and subsequently hospitalized. In a separate incident within the Jabir District of Hebron, two other Palestinians were beaten and required hospital treatment. The article characterizes the perpetrators as Israelis who have usurped Palestinian lands and notes that such raids frequently result in damage to Palestinian property, animals, and land. The reporting highlights the ongoing tensions and violent confrontations in the region, specifically focusing on the physical harm inflicted upon Palestinian residents in southern West Bank areas. The source attributes the injuries directly to attacks carried out by Israeli entities, reflecting a specific narrative perspective on the conflict dynamics in Hebron.

1 reports · 1 sources

This article articulates Pakistan's unwavering diplomatic support for Palestine, framing it as a matter of national honor, faith, and international law rather than transient political sentiment. It reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital. The text critiques Western hypocrisy regarding human rights and highlights the inconsistency in applying international law to Palestinian sovereignty compared to other regions. While welcoming the January 15, 2025, Gaza ceasefire, the author argues that truces are insufficient without ending occupation and establishing justice. The piece also underscores Pakistan's emerging role as a crucial mediator in regional tensions, specifically noting its facilitation of communication between Iran and the United States. This diplomatic relevance is portrayed as a testament to Pakistan's wisdom and stability amidst Middle Eastern instability. Ultimately, the article asserts that supporting Palestine is essential to Pakistan's own identity and moral integrity, warning against normalizing Israel's occupation and settlement expansions.

1 reports · 1 sources

The United States is reportedly considering requesting Israel to redirect a portion of the $5 billion in tax revenues withheld from the Palestinian Authority (PA) to fund President Trump’s $70 billion Gaza reconstruction plan. These funds would support a U.S.-backed transitional government, potentially marginalizing the PA, which faces a severe financial crisis due to the withholding. While no formal decision has been made, the proposal aims to leverage idle resources for post-war rebuilding. However, implementation remains stalled by ongoing Israeli military operations and Hamas’s refusal to disarm, highlighting deepening geopolitical tensions.

7 reports · 5 sources · Updated May 16, 12:16 PM UTC

Spanish actor Javier Bardem delivered a strong message at a United Nations screening of the film All That’s Left Of You, marking the anniversary of the 1948 Nakba. Bardem asserted that the Nakba has not ended, characterizing current Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide and policies in the occupied West Bank as ethnic cleansing and apartheid. His remarks were shared by the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the UN on social media. In his statement, Bardem praised the resilience and determination of the Palestinian people to remain on their land and preserve their culture despite decades of struggle. The film, which explores the trauma of three generations of a Palestinian family, was submitted by Jordan for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The article contextualizes these comments within the broader commemoration of May 15 as Nakba Day, recalling the historical displacement of nearly one million Palestinians and the destruction of hundreds of villages in 1948.

1 reports · 1 sources

On May 15, 2026, tensions escalated in the Israeli-occupied West Bank following two separate violent incidents. The Palestinian Authority reported that Israeli forces shot and killed 15-year-old Fahd Zidan Oweis in Al-Lubban al-Sharqiyya, Nablus governorate. While Palestinian health officials stated his body was withheld, the Israeli military claimed he was a masked terrorist eliminated during a counterterror operation after throwing stones at vehicles. In a distinct incident near Ramallah, Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to a mosque in Jibiya and torched two cars, leaving Hebrew graffiti on the walls. The Israeli Defense Forces condemned the arson as a violation of public order and promised an investigation, though suspects were not immediately located. These events occur amidst a significant surge in violence since October 2023, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed in the West Bank according to Palestinian figures. The article highlights ongoing settler violence and military operations, noting international condemnation and the illegal status of settlements under international law.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society reported that Israeli forces have arrested more than 23,000 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. The organization described the current situation as the harshest period for the Palestinian prisoners' movement since 1967, citing widespread detention of women, children, and wounded individuals. The report excludes thousands of additional arrests in Gaza, where hundreds of detainees are allegedly forcibly disappeared. According to the group, 89 identified prisoners have died in custody due to torture, starvation, or medical neglect, raising the total death toll since 1967 to 326. Currently, over 9,400 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons, including administrative detainees and those classified as unlawful combatants. The society characterizes mass detention as a systematic pillar of Israeli colonial policy aimed at dismantling Palestinian social structures. The article also notes that the overall Palestinian death toll from the conflict reached 73,761 by April 2026. These findings highlight severe humanitarian concerns regarding prisoner treatment and due process within the context of the ongoing regional conflict.

1 reports · 1 sources

A Palestinian family from the occupied West Bank has accused travel giant Booking.com of profiting from land confiscated by Israeli settlers, according to a new report by corporate accountability group Eko. Released ahead of Booking Holdings' annual general meeting, the report alleges that the platform lists 41 properties across 14 illegal settlements, including a villa in Neve Daniel built on land registered to the Sbeih family. Mohammed Sbeih, whose ancestors worked the land, stated that the core issue is the theft of property rather than the revenue generated. The report further links these listings to increased settler violence, citing over 1,800 attacks on Palestinians in 2025. It highlights growing legal and financial pressure on Booking.com, including a Dutch criminal complaint for money laundering and divestment by pension funds. While a shareholder resolution demands greater transparency on human rights risks, Booking’s board has dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated and the business as financially insignificant. The company has not publicly responded to the latest findings, which also criticize the lack of disclosure regarding the occupied status of advertised properties.

1 reports · 1 sources

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced government plans to establish settlements in Lebanon and encourage the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. Speaking at an event in Jerusalem marking the anniversary of Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem, Ben-Gvir stated that authorities would not hesitate to eliminate those who oppose these measures. The announcement coincides with ongoing violations of a ceasefire in Gaza, effective since October 2025, which has resulted in at least 857 deaths and over 2,400 injuries. Additionally, Israel continues to breach a truce in Lebanon, causing nearly 3,000 deaths since March. Ben-Gvir also highlighted harsh new restrictions on Palestinian prisoners, including the removal of amenities and academic opportunities, following the Knesset's approval of legislation allowing the death penalty for Palestinian detainees accused of lethal attacks. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has urged Israel to repeal this law, citing concerns over human rights violations and the deteriorating conditions for over 9,600 Palestinian prisoners.

1 reports · 1 sources

On May 15, 2026, marking the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, Palestinians in the West Bank report experiencing a renewed catastrophe due to intensified Israeli settler violence and land confiscation. The article highlights how historical displacement patterns are repeating, with communities being forced from their lands amid what activists describe as international silence. Since taking office in 2022, Israel’s government has approved 103 settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Experts note a rapid acceleration in expansion, with plans to legalize 18 additional outposts, bringing the total new outposts to over 120. This surge represents nearly 80% of all construction undertaken between 1967 and 2022. As land in Area C becomes scarce, settlement expansion is increasingly encroaching into Area B, raising fears that Area A will be targeted next. Activists and residents document daily harassment and attacks, describing the situation as an endless process of dispossession that threatens the remaining Palestinian-controlled territories.

1 reports · 1 sources