One killed in a Pogrom in Sinjil by Israeli settlers and soldiers

On April 21 2025, dozens of settlers coming from the direction of a new illegal outpost established during the previous night on the lands of Sinjil began setting fire to agricultural structures, equipment, and residential tents of Palestinian communities.

The perpetrators arrived accompanied by Israeli soldiers who shot stun grenades and tear gas at the Palestinians who tried to put out the fires.

A farm owner suffered a heart attack after being physically assaulted, sprayed with tear gas, and struck in the face by Israeli settlers. He was hospitalised and died following of hearth attack.

The settlers also torched the farm, destroyed a workshop under construction, stole 45 sheep, killed several more, and burned three livestock barracks.

No Israelis were arrested while a Palestinian was detained.

Yesh Din investigation

@Yesh_Din researcher reported that dozens of settlers who arrived in the area, set fire to tents of Palestinian communities, agricultural warehouses and fields, as well as vehicles. The settlers arrived with military force that fired tear gas and rubber bullets at farmers who tried to defend their property. The settlers arrived from a new outpost established in Area B.

Btselem investigation

Israeli settlers erected an illegal outpost on Sinjil town land in the West Bank, triggering violent clashes. Settlers attacked Palestinian residents with stones and live fire, torched property, and displaced a Bedouin family. They were later aided or protected by Israeli soldiers. Wael Ghafri (48), a local resident, died after inhaling smoke from a shed torched by settlers. He suffered a fatal heart attack.Israeli Soldiers arrived late, used force against Palestinians (not settlers), and failed to prevent property destruction or violence.

Detailed Timeline of Events according to testimonies

On 21 April 2025 (Monday)

Early morning: Settlers erect a tent on Jabal a-Tal hill, Sinjil land (Area B).

08:00 AM: Sinjil town council alerts Palestinian DCO and humanitarian bodies; no response.

09:30 AM: Wael Ghafri and his cousin film settlers from ~500m away.

11:00 AM: ~20 residents gather, approach hill; settlers throw stones from above.

~11:20 AM: Settlers outnumber Palestinians (~80 settlers arrive from Route 60).

~11:40 AM: Settler fires at residents (incl. Wael); no one hit. Residents retreat.

Noon: Settlers torch Bedouin tents, steal sheep. Attack and pepper-spray 68-year-old Muhammad ‘Ara’rah. Burn Wael Ghafri’s brother’s farming shed and other property.

After noon: Soldiers arrive, use tear gas and stun grenades on Palestinians, not settlers. A soldier hits Wael Ghafri with rifle butt during verbal confrontation.

After settlers retreat: Wael enters burning shed, inhales smoke. Taken by ambulance to clinic, then to Ramallah hospital. Declared dead later that day from a heart attack, likely triggered by smoke inhalation and stress.

Weapon

Tear gas is commonly used by Israeli forces during raids across the occupied West Bank to disperse crowds. However, rights groups have long accused Israel of misusing the weapon. Though classified as a riot-control agent intended for open-air use, Israeli forces have fired tear gas into homes, clinics, schools, hospitals, and mosques, Amnesty International reported as early as 1988, provoking suffocation and injuring civilians.

Victim :

Wael Ghafri, 48, died due to suffocation from tear gas bombs fired by Israeli occupation forces in the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah, the Palestinian Health Ministry reports.

Other testimonies said that he went to put out the fire when Israeli forces prevented him from reaching his home and he fought them with his bare hands and was immediately shot and martyred.

Second wave of pogrom

On April 23, for the second time this week, settlers set fire to homes and trees in the village of Sinjil.

Armed Israeli settlers have been increasing their terror attacks on Palestinian towns and villages amid Israel’s ongoing military Operation Iron Wall.

Israelis raided the town of Sinjil, northeast of Ramallah, and hurled stones at civilians, and burned property.

At least ten Palestinians injured today alone.