Summary of the situation in At-Tuwani (West Bank):

Context and Location:

At-Tuwani is a Palestinian farming village located in the southern West Bank near Hebron, home to approximately 1,600 people. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, violence against Palestinian villagers has escalated dramatically.

Increased Settler Violence Post-October 7:

Following Hamas’s attack, Israel’s military presence in the West Bank increased, as well as settler aggression towards Palestinians. Settler violence, particularly by extremist groups, intensified. Incidents such as raids, destruction of property, and shootings became more frequent, aimed at displacing Palestinians from their land. Settlers have been emboldened, forming quasi-military forces and gaining new powers, such as the authority to arrest and declare closed military zones.

Incidents in At-Tuwani:

October 12, 2023: Settlers set up an observation post on land belonging to the Hureini family, cutting branches from fig trees and grapevines. When villagers confronted them, they were threatened with guns.

October 13, 2023: A settler shot Zakariya Adra, a resident, in the stomach during an altercation. The shooting was filmed, and the settler faced no immediate consequences, though his gun license was revoked.

Januari 28, 2025, A resident, Mohsab, was bringing building materials to his house with a truck when a settler approached and tried to intimidate him by saying that this building activity was not allowed. The settler then tried to use his qun to shoot the tires of the truck.

Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods:

Attacks on crops and livestock have become more frequent, particularly during key points in the agricultural calendar, making farming nearly impossible for Palestinian villagers. Families in At-Tuwani have struggled to harvest their olives, plough their land, or graze livestock due to threats from settlers.

Human Rights Violations and Displacement:

Since October 7, more than 1,600 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence and military restrictions, including nearly 800 children. Settlers in At-Tuwani continue to intimidate villagers, obstruct their daily lives, and in some cases, threaten their survival.

Settler Communities:

Nearby Israeli settlements like Ma’on and its outpost Havat Ma’on are known for their violence against Palestinians. These outposts are illegal even under Israeli law but remain active and often unregulated. Settler ideology in some areas is deeply extremist, with leaders like Yehoshafat Tor openly advocating violence against Palestinians.

International Legal Context: The expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank is widely regarded as illegal under international law. The Geneva Conventions prohibit the transfer of an occupying power’s civilians into occupied territory. A July 2023 advisory ruling by the International Court of Justice declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal.

Crowdfunding and Demolitions : In late 2022, Tor, a resident of Havat Ma’on, launched a crowdfunding campaign to pay off debts and complained about ongoing conflicts during Shabbat. He reported the theft of sheep worth about $130,000. Previously, the Israeli government had demolished buildings he and his wife built, a rare enforcement of demolition orders in illegal outposts.

Settler Violence Denial : Veteran settler leader Daniella Weiss denied that settlers instigate violence against Palestinians, claiming that no Jew starts conflicts with Arabs. She argued that the controversy over settlers is part of a plan to create a Palestinian state, which she opposes.

Support from One Israel Fund: The settlements of Ma’on and Havat Ma’on are supported by the U.S. charity One Israel Fund, which provides security equipment. Eve Harow, the fund’s tourism director, claimed these settlements prevent the creation of a “Jihadist entity” and protect Israel from potential massacres like those on October 7.

The Israeli military is closely linked to settlers, with many soldiers coming from settlements. After the October 7 attacks, settlers were further mobilized to defend their communities. In the West Bank near At-Tuwani, it’s often difficult to distinguish between soldiers and settlers, as many settlers don military-style uniforms. Activists note that some settlers mobilized in recent months are more aggressive than regular soldiers, wearing far-right symbols like the Third Temple movement patch, symbolizing extremist beliefs about controlling religious sites in Jerusalem.

Betzalel Taljah's role:

Settler and Israeli military reservist. He leads a battalion responsible for security of 24 settlements, including Ma’on and Havat Ma’on. Blurs the distinction between settlers and military forces. He wears patches combining the Israeli flag with far-right symbols like the Punisher skull. Known for aggressive interactions with Palestinians and activists. He has intimidated farmers, searched phones for Gaza-related content, and used violence during confrontations. Frequently escalates tensions, often screaming and pointing his gun at Palestinians. He used to detained Palestinian shepherds and declared their grazing land a closed military zone for 30 days, depriving them of essential resources.

Historical context :

Since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, settlers have focused on expanding control, particularly in Area C, under full Israeli military authority. Many settlers believe they have a religious right to the land, while others move for economic reasons. Dror Etkes of Kerem Navot estimates settlers have taken over 37,000 acres of Palestinian land since October 7. In response to rising settler violence, the international community, including the U.S. and EU, has imposed sanctions on several settlers and groups.

https://ig.ft.com/west-bank/