Escalating Violence: Israeli Settler Attacks and Air Strikes Leave Death and Destruction in West Bank

Violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has surged to a more than 15-year high, with armed Israeli settlers increasingly shooting to kill Palestinians. The recent Gaza war has further fueled tensions, with over 170 attacks on Palestinians involving settlers recorded by the UN since the Hamas attack. Settler attacks have killed 29 people this year, including eight since October 7, raising concerns among Palestinians, Israeli security experts, and Western officials. The Israeli government has been accused of supporting settler violence, while Washington and the European Union have condemned the attacks. The ongoing Gaza war and the rise of far-right politicians in Israel have made it harder to stem settler-related violence.