**Israeli Army and Settlers Injure Several Palestinians Across West Bank**
*Published on August 22, 2026*
In a series of incidents across the occupied West Bank, Israeli military actions and assaults by settlers have resulted in injuries to at least 19 Palestinians, as reported by Palestinian health officials and local media outlets. The violence comes amidst ongoing tensions exacerbated by the conflict in Gaza that began in October 2023.
On Saturday, Israeli forces shot and injured three Palestinians who were attempting to enter occupied East Jerusalem near the separation wall in ar-Ram, according to the Jerusalem Governorate. This incident is part of a pattern of near-daily violence against Palestinian workers who have been barred from accessing their jobs in Israel since the outbreak of the conflict.
In the Tubas Governorate, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that its medical teams treated at least 11 Palestinians for tear gas inhalation during Israeli military raids. Among those affected were four children, highlighting the impact of such confrontations on the younger population.
In Masafer Yatta, located south of Hebron, an elderly man was reportedly beaten by armed settlers, and following this assault, Israeli forces conducted a raid on his home, damaging property and confiscating family phones. This incident reflects the broader climate of fear and violence that many Palestinian families face in the region.
Further incidents of violence included two young men who were hospitalized after being attacked by Israeli settlers in Arrabeh, south of Jenin. Additionally, a 15-year-old boy was hospitalized due to severe injuries sustained from a settler attack in Tammun, Tubas province, where another child was also injured.
The violence is not isolated to physical assaults; it has also resulted in fatalities. On Friday, separate incidents in Hebron and Jenin led to the deaths of two Palestinians, further escalating tensions in the area.
In Qusra, south of Nablus, the Hassan and Abu Rida families have been besieged in their homes for 14 consecutive days by settlers, with Israeli forces maintaining a closed military zone around the area. Residents have accused the Israeli army of complicity in the situation, which they believe could lead to forced displacement.
According to the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, the number of Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem has reached approximately 780,000, residing in 192 settlements and 400 outposts. This expansion has resulted in settlers occupying 71 percent of Area C and 91 percent of the Jordan Valley.
The United Nations humanitarian affairs office has documented over 1,330 settler-related attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank from January to late July of this year, averaging around six incidents per day. This marks the highest rate of such violence since the UN began systematic tracking two decades ago. Furthermore, more than 2,300 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes in 2026 due to settler violence or the accompanying restrictions.
A UN-appointed commission of inquiry has concluded that Israeli authorities have repeatedly failed to prevent foreseeable settler attacks and, in some instances, have actively enabled such violence through military protection and the provision of weapons and funding.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful of the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian implications for the Palestinian population in the occupied territories.