West Bank Raids Spread as Over 6,500 Palestinians Displaced
By Palestine Chronicle Staff
October 1, 2026
Israeli occupation forces raided Palestinian communities across the West Bank as settler attacks continued, with thousands displaced since 2023, OCHA reported.
Key Developments
Israeli occupation forces searched homes across the West Bank early Thursday, detained a Palestinian in Tammun and seized a vehicle in Tuqu’.
Settlers stole Palestinian property in Masafer Yatta and entered the al-Uzair shrine in Awarta to perform religious rituals.
OCHA reported that settler attacks and access restrictions have displaced more than 6,500 Palestinians since 2023, completely emptying 49 communities.
Israeli Forces Raid Homes Across West Bank
Israeli occupation forces carried out raids across several governorates of the occupied West Bank early Thursday, searching Palestinian homes, detaining a resident and seizing a vehicle, Palestinian media reported.
In the northern West Bank, occupation forces entered Areeba, southwest of Jenin, and Qaffin, north of Tulkarm. They also raided Kifl Haris in Salfit governorate and searched homes in nearby Kafr al-Dik. In Tammun, south of Tubas, soldiers searched Palestinian homes and detained one Palestinian.
The raids extended to Nabi Saleh, Barqa and Silwad in Ramallah governorate, with several homes searched in Silwad. Israeli occupation forces also entered Aqabat Jabr refugee camp near Jericho, where they searched a number of homes, and raided a residential building near Askar al-Balad in Nablus.
In Bethlehem governorate, occupation forces searched homes in Beit Fajjar and fired sound grenades at the entrance to Dheisheh refugee camp during a raid. They also seized a vehicle in Tuqu’, adding to the searches and incursions reported across the territory.
Settlers Target Property and Religious Site
Settler attacks accompanied the military raids. Illegal Israeli Jewish settlers entered the Bir Haram al-Rama area in Hebron and stole Palestinian property from Khallat al-Hummus in Masafer Yatta, south of the city.
In Awarta, south of Nablus, illegal settlers entered the al-Uzair shrine and performed religious rituals. The incursion targeted a religious site within a Palestinian village, alongside the attacks on property reported elsewhere in the West Bank.
The continuing pressure on displaced families was also evident in Jalud, where more than 100 settlers attacked a Palestinian family attempting to return home after two months of displacement. Two Palestinian homes were set on fire during the attack.
The family was prevented from returning to its home, which they said settlers had occupied. The incident highlighted the barriers facing Palestinians seeking to regain access to their property after being forced to leave.
Settler Violence Displaces Thousands
More than 6,500 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes in the occupied West Bank since 2023 because of settler attacks and access restrictions, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
OCHA recorded more than 6,000 settler attacks during that period that caused casualties, property damage or both. Forty-nine Palestinian communities have been completely displaced, while another 83 have experienced partial displacement.
The destruction has also affected agricultural land and transportation. Settler attacks damaged approximately 88,000 trees and saplings and more than 3,100 vehicles, according to the UN agency’s figures.
OCHA called for Palestinians to be protected and given safe access to their homes, olive groves, workplaces, schools and essential services. It also urged accountability for those responsible for the attacks.
(PC, Al Mayadeen, OCHA)
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