Settlers and soldiers raids and pogrom in Burqin & Kafr al-Dik (Salfit)

Context:

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Tzeela Gez, a 37-year-old Israeli woman who was nine months pregnant, was fatally shot near the Brukhin settlement in the occupied West Bank while en route to the hospital with her husband. Doctors were able to deliver her baby via caesarean section; the newborn is reported to be in serious but stable condition. The incident has intensified tensions in the region, with concerns over potential retaliatory actions and further violence. Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility

IDF Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir statement

“We will use all the tools at our disposal and reach the murderers in order to hold them accountable,”

IDF response to the attack

The Israeli military launched a manhunt for the assailant(s), conducting raids and sealing nearby Palestinian villages, in a collective punishment operation:

The army imposed a curfew on the residents of the entire Salfit area. Checkpoints were set up, it is forbidden to leave the houses, to go to work, to go to the doctor or to buy food. Soldiers entered many houses and caused extensive damage to property.

At the same time, while the Palestinians are locked in their homes, the soldiers accompany the settlers who invade villages throughout the West Bank, with the aim of causing damage and revenge.

During these operations, several Palestinians were apprehended.

In Burqin

On May 16, for the third consecutive day, Bruqin faced a massive incursion by the Israeli army, which occupied four buildings and converted them into military barracks.

The same day, Nael Sami Abdel Rahman Samara was killed after being shot by occupation soldiers during their raid on the town of Burqin, west of Salfit. He was allegedly approaching Israeli soldiers with a potentially booby-trapped backpack, was shot and killed by the military. His body has been detained by Israeli troops.

Israeli army brought 13 bulldozers to the town on Thursday morning and was continuing to level open areas adjacent to homes, claiming they were being converted into military zones The bulldozing operations have so far covered 264 dunams (26.4 hectares),

Israeli settlers attacked homes, smashing windows and torching a bulldozer belonging to one of the residents.

"More than 2,000 settlers gathered on the lands bulldozed by the Israeli army, setting fires and burning the Palestinian flag amid racist chants. They remained gathered until 3am [12am GMT] on Friday, and we expect them to intensify their attacks in the coming days," he said.

The town remains under siege after its four entrances were closed, with barriers erected since Wednesday evening.

"With great difficulty, we were able to bring in 500kg of bread for the residents this morning," said Sabra.

"Two patients needed to be taken to the hospital yesterday, and ambulances were delayed for hours before they were allowed to be transported out of the town."

In Kafr Al-Dik

• The neighbouring town of Kafr al-Dik also saw similar raids and arrests. Soldiers also turned several homes into interrogation centres, while property was deliberately vandalised.

• On May 16, 2025, Israeli soldiers detained a young man, his wife, and their daughter and abuse them in the street.

• A soldier removed the Palestinian flag from the school gate.

• Israeli soldiers stormed the Kafr al-Dik Mosque and forced the muezzin to call for a curfew at gunpoint