The European Union and the United Kingdom have called on Israel to take immediate action to stop a rise in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank.
According to the United Nations, at least six Palestinians have been killed in settler attacks across the West Bank over the past 11 days since the conflict involving Israel and Iran escalated.
British officials said they were appalled by the killings, while the European Union described the level of settler violence as unacceptable. Both urged Israeli authorities to ensure accountability and prevent further attacks.
The Israel Defense Forces condemned the incidents and said investigations are underway to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Israel has established around 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since capturing the territories during the Six Day War. About 700,000 Israeli settlers live in these areas alongside an estimated 3.3 million Palestinians. The settlements are widely regarded as illegal under international law.
Recent incidents include an attack on the village of Khirbet Abu Falah near Ramallah where three Palestinians were killed during a settler raid, according to Palestinian authorities. Witnesses said dozens of settlers entered the village before dawn and clashes erupted when residents confronted them.
Human rights organisations including B’Tselem and Yesh Din reported more than 100 incidents of settler violence in dozens of Palestinian communities during the first 10 days of the Iran conflict.
Palestinian officials have described the attacks as a serious escalation and called for international intervention. Meanwhile, Israeli military commanders said there would be zero tolerance for civilians taking the law into their own hands and promised swift investigations.
European and British officials have urged Israeli authorities to ensure thorough investigations and protect Palestinian communities living in the occupied territory.
