Two Palestinians Killed in West Bank Amid Settler Raid

Two Palestinian men were shot dead by Israeli forces during a settler attack in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to local officials. The victims were identified as Ahmad Adel Abu Mukho, 26, and Odeh Abdul Rahim Odeh Farakhneh, 53, by the Palestinian health ministry. The incident occurred in the town of Deir Jarir, northeast of Ramallah. Local reports say a group of Israeli settlers entered the town at night, raided a house, and stole several sheep. When residents tried to intervene, Israeli soldiers and settlers opened fire. The head of the village council, Eid Hammad, said that Israeli forces blocked ambulances from reaching the wounded. The Palestine Red Crescent Society also reported that troops fired at one of its ambulances. Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has been a long-standing issue in the West Bank but has increased significantly since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Settler attacks, including arson and forced displacement, often occur with Israeli military support. A recent UN commission report noted a 130% rise in settler violence in 2025, with at least 50 Palestinians killed by settlers since October 2023. The Israeli military has not yet commented on the incident. The violence continues to draw international concern.