West Bank violence: Settlers in military uniforms seize land and attack communities
In the occupied West Bank, armed settlers, sometimes dressed in military uniforms, are carrying out attacks on Palestinian farmers and seizing land. A resident of Kobar recounts a settler stealing sheep and calling in border police to assist. The violence aims to intimidate Palestinians and force them off their land.
In Kobar, a settler known as Ghazal reportedly uses military attire to intimidate residents, stealing sheep and solar panels while claiming to be army. Local farmer Bassema Khader says Border Police assisted him in taking livestock. Separately, in Deir Jarir, a Palestinian was run over and pepper-sprayed by a settler, later identified as a reservist whose weapon was confiscated.
A fatal incident in April 2026 highlights conflicting narratives. The Israeli military stated a reserve soldier fired at a stone-thrower, while B'Tselem reported settlers from an outpost had brought sheep onto farmland, leading to a confrontation. These cases illustrate the blurred lines between civilian settlement activity and military operations.
This pattern of violence could further entrench displacement pressures on Palestinian farming communities, potentially accelerating land loss and undermining daily livelihoods. The apparent impunity and the use of military uniforms may erode trust in legal protections for Palestinians, while also complicating the Israeli military's operational credibility. Such incidents could heighten regional tensions and provoke broader international scrutiny, affecting both local residents and the overall stability of the occupied territories.