Israeli Settlers Raid West Bank Villages, Block Palestinian Family's Return Home

Israeli settlers raided the village of Awarta, south of Nablus, and the area around al-Uzair shrine for over 12 hours on Wednesday.

Dozens of settlers, protected by Israeli forces, performed Jewish rituals at Islamic shrines and attacked Palestinians. Settlers also raided the Ottoman-era tunnel "Al-Kharq" east of Bal'a, performing prayers and raising Israeli flags. These actions follow an attack early Tuesday in Jalud, south of Nablus, where more than 100 militant settlers overwhelmed Israeli security forces. The settlers attacked a Palestinian family attempting to reclaim their homes, injuring three Israeli security officials and setting houses on fire.

The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that settler violence in the West Bank makes everyday life untenable for Palestinians. Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, condemned the Jalud attacks as a moral stain, and Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief, called for action against a campaign of terror and violence. The Tubassi family was forced from their Jalud home in July.

On Monday night, Israeli security forces attempted to enforce a High Court of Justice order for their return. Mahmoud Tubassi, 60, described a terrifying experience as settlers threw stones at security forces, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades. Tubassi stated security forces did not use full force. The Israel Defense Forces called the violence severe.

The military evacuated the family after failing to prevent settlers from storming their homes; smoke rose from the properties shortly after. Three Israelis were detained. This marks the second attack on the Tubassi family in over a month, following an August 28 incident where masked settlers injured them and an NBC News crew. The "Hilltop Youth," a movement of hardline Israeli settlers, is linked to the surging violence, seeking to expand Jewish presence through unauthorized outposts.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed settler attacks as the work of a handful of juvenile delinquents, about 150 in number. Countries including Britain and the Netherlands have imposed sanctions on settlement products.