20 Palestinians killed by settlers' gunfire since beginning of year

The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documented the martyrdom of 20 Palestinians by settlers' gunfire in the West Bank since the beginning of 2026, confirming an unprecedented escalation compared to the past two years. Ramallah and al-Bireh recorded the highest number of martyrs with 12, followed by Nablus with three, then Hebron and Jerusalem with two each, and Salfit with one. It also noted 341 demolition operations since the start of the year, resulting in the destruction of 740 facilities and the displacement of 923 Palestinians, including 546 children.

The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission documented the martyrdom of 20 Palestinians by Israeli settlers' gunfire in the West Bank since the beginning of 2026, confirming that settler attacks are witnessing an unprecedented escalation compared to the past two years. In a statement on Friday, the Commission said the number of martyrs has risen continuously over the past three years, reaching 11 in 2024, 14 in 2025, and 20 since the start of this year, the highest toll in the mentioned period. The data showed that Ramallah and al-Bireh governorate recorded the highest number of martyrs with 12, representing 56% of the total victims, followed by Nablus with three, then Hebron and Jerusalem with two each, and Salfit with one. It explained that this concentration reflects the escalation of settler attacks in areas adjacent to pastoral settlement outposts and settlement roads, as part of attempts to impose new facts on the ground by force and violence. It said that gunfire was the most used method, with 16 Palestinians martyred by bullets, while two were martyred as a result of assault and pursuit, another due to inhaling gas, and a fourth after suffering a heart attack during a settler attack. The Commission affirmed that the occupation authorities continue to escalate the policy of demolishing Palestinian facilities, noting 341 demolition operations since the beginning of 2026, resulting in the destruction of 740 facilities and the displacement of 923 Palestinians, including 546 children. It also noted that occupation forces and settlers carried out a total of 11,074 attacks in the West Bank during the first half of 2026.