Israeli settlers seize eight Palestinian homes near Jericho displacing dozens

Israeli settlers seized eight Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho, prompting condemnation from the United Nations. Al Jazeera reported that Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, confirmed the takeover on Thursday. According to Al Jazeera, settlers used live ammunition, threw stones, and physically assaulted Palestinian residents during the event, which forced dozens of people to flee for their safety. NewsCord and Ynetnews both reported that the homes were located in a neighbourhood near Jericho. [1][5][7]

Outlets differed on the details surrounding the takeover of the properties. NewsCord reported that the settlers acted with protection from the Israeli Defence Forces. Conversely, Ynetnews reported that Jewish families moved into the eight homes without approval, catching the military off guard. [5][7]

Israeli settlers have carried out acts of violence, intimidation, property damage, physical assaults, and shootings against Palestinians in the occupied territories since at least the late 20th century. Human rights and international organisations have documented cases where Israeli security forces accompanied or supported the attackers. As FTMQ News reported earlier, violent settler actions in the West Bank have previously included attacks on Palestinian olive harvesters near Ramallah. [8][10]

The latest displacement follows earlier instances of mass displacement in the occupied West Bank. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Israeli military operations in Hebron previously displaced hundreds of Palestinian families from their homes following a fatal checkpoint attack. [11]