An Israeli civilian and four Palestinians were killed in a shooting incident in the occupied West Bank, according to reports from the Palestinian foreign ministry and the Israeli military. The incident occurred near Tal, southwest of Nablus.
Palestinian officials described the event as a "massacre" and blamed "settler terrorism," stating that the escalation is a "direct consequence of the protection, political backing, and complete impunity granted by the Israeli government and occupation forces." They added that "official Israeli incitement continues to fuel and encourage these crimes."
In contrast, the Israeli military stated that a Palestinian stole a weapon and opened fire on hikers. The military has set up roadblocks and is searching for additional suspects.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to act "with full force against the terrorists and those who orchestrate and sponsor them." He convened an emergency meeting with security officials, and reinforcements were dispatched to the area, which is close to the settlement of Havat Gilad.
The West Bank has experienced a surge in attacks by settlers on Palestinians and their property since the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to United Nations figures, 1,114 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the Gaza war, with the vast majority of those deaths attributed to the Israeli Defense Forces. The UN also reports that at least 35 of these deaths involved attacks by settlers.
During the same period, 41 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations in the West Bank.
Israel has established approximately 160 settlements housing 700,000 Jews in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since its occupation in the 1967 Middle East war. Palestinians seek these territories, along with Gaza, for a future state. An estimated 3.3 million Palestinians reside in the West Bank alongside these settlements, which are considered illegal under international law.