American fatally struck in West Bank violence perpetrated by settlers
The West Bank has seen a sharp increase in attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians this year, with violence escalating significantly since the start of the Gaza war. This tragic trend was once again highlighted by the death of a 41-year-old US citizen, Khamis Ayyad, in an arson attack in the West Bank town of Silwad.
Ayyad, who had moved to the West Bank with his family a few years ago but continued to work for a US company, died from smoke inhalation caused by fires set by Israeli settlers. At least 350 Palestinians have been injured by settler attacks since January 2025, with the total number of attacks already exceeding those recorded throughout all of 2024.
The violence in Silwad is not an isolated incident. Human rights organizations have reported an increase in attacks by Israeli settlers against the Palestinian population in the West Bank. Another tragic example occurred in the West Bank village of Akraba, where a 24-year-old Palestinian was shot and killed by Israeli settlers, and eight other individuals were injured during the same violent confrontation.
The Israeli army has not yet released a statement regarding their support of Israeli settlers over Palestinians in the Akraba incident. However, Akraba's mayor, Salah Dajbour, stated that the Israeli army was present during the incident. The Israeli police have launched an investigation into the arson attack in Silwad, but the Israeli army could not identify the suspects who set houses and vehicles on fire.
The US State Department has condemned "criminal violence from all sides" in the West Bank. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has called for an investigation into the "criminal and terrorist act" in Jinjil, where a 20-year-old US citizen was beaten to death during a family visit earlier in July. However, Huckabee has not yet commented on Ayyad's death.
The ongoing violence and displacement in the West Bank have raised grave concerns among the United Nations and human rights experts. They have described settler violence as effectively state violence, highlighting widespread intimidation, land dispossession, destruction of Palestinian properties and livelihoods, arson, livestock theft, poisoning of water sources, and forcible displacement practices.
Since 7 October 2023, nearly 3,000 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence, with homes being demolished on a large scale under orders from Israeli authorities. This violent trend is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.
Internationally, the UN and human rights experts have called for an immediate end to the violence by Israeli settlers and state forces. They warn that these actions undermine Palestinian food security, sovereignty, and rights, and may constitute systemic violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws. Despite this, the violence and displacement continue to escalate, with Israeli authorities allegedly weaponizing settler movements by arming and embedding settlers in organized “territorial defense battalions” to forcibly seize land.
The West Bank is home to around 500,000 Israeli settlers, adding complexity to the already tense situation. As the international community watches, it is hoped that a peaceful resolution can be found to end the violence and bring stability to the region.
- The community policy of the US State Department condemns "criminal violence from all sides" in the West Bank, urging investigations into instances such as the arson attack in Silwad, the shooting in Akraba, and the fatal beating in Jinjil.
- The ongoing violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank is not just a matter of crime and justice, but also involves politics, war-and-conflicts, general news, and employment policies, due to the presence of over 500,000 Israeli settlers and the alleged embedding of settlers in organized "territorial defense battalions."