West Bank Violence: Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Villages in Retaliation

Israeli settlers launched a wave of attacks on Palestinian villages across the northern occupied West Bank on Saturday night, March 22, 2026, following the death of an Israeli settler earlier in the day. The attacks, described by some as unprecedented in their scale and coordination, involved beatings, stone-throwing, arson, and vandalism, leaving at least eleven Palestinians lightly wounded.

Settler Attacks and Palestinian Injuries

The attacks targeted villages including Jalud, Fandaqumiya, Silat ad-Dhahr, and Qaryut. In Jalud, south of Nablus, settlers injured three Palestinians, destroyed vehicles, and burned down the village council headquarters The National News. Footage from the affected villages showed buildings ablaze and residents attempting to evacuate those inside The Times of Israel. A medical center was also reportedly torched in the attacks Türkiye Today.

Yehuda Sherman’s Death and Initial Investigation

The violence erupted after Yehuda Sherman, an 18-year-old Israeli settler, was killed in a collision with a Palestinian vehicle near Jenin. Israeli police initially described the incident as a traffic accident but later opened an investigation into whether it was a deliberate attack The National News. The suspect in the incident turned himself in to authorities on Saturday night and is currently being questioned The Times of Israel.

Government Response and Condemnation

Israeli ministers and settler leaders immediately labeled Sherman’s death a terrorist attack. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich expressed his grief on X, stating the death was a result of guarding Israeli land The National News. Graffiti found at some of the attack sites indicated the violence was carried out in retaliation for Sherman’s death The Times of Israel.

Escalating Violence in the West Bank

These attacks come amid a broader increase in Israeli military and settler violence against Palestinians, particularly since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran three weeks ago. Violence and settlement activity in the West Bank had already been escalating during the Gaza War The National News. Palestinian activist Ihab Hassan described the attacks as a “major pogrom” and said they were “highly organised and fully backed by the Israeli government and the Israeli army” The National News.