Israeli Forces and Settlers Escalate West Bank Violence
Israeli forces and settlers conducted raids, demolished a memorial, and targeted a school in the West Bank amid a reported 52.8% increase in October attacks.
The Israel Defense Forces and Israeli settlers carried out a series of escalations across the West Bank on November 2, 2026, involving military raids, livestock theft, and the targeting of educational facilities. In the village of al-Mughayyir, forces fired tear gas canisters at a school, causing suffocation among students and teachers. Residents and educators in al-Mughayyir have since begun fortifying the secondary school with metal fences and gates to protect students from armed settlers who regularly raid the village. Local officials describe these tactics as part of a broader project to displace Palestinians from their land.
Simultaneously, the Israel Defense Forces conducted raids in Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron, arresting six Palestinians, including journalist Samer Khuwaira. In Al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, military forces used a bulldozer to destroy a memorial dedicated to slain Palestinians. Other operations resulted in the injury of two Palestinians in Al-Minya and the detention of a man in Kafr Dan. In a separate action, security forces arrested 18 settlers during the demolition of the unauthorized Givat Ora Yisrael outpost near Salfit, after the settlers allegedly assaulted troops and blocked roads.
The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported that the Israeli army and settlers conducted 3,133 attacks in October, representing a 52.8% increase from September. While the military claims it enters villages to provide security for civilians, residents report close cooperation between soldiers and settlers.
