Israeli settlers burn Palestinian homes in West Bank after court-ordered return

Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian Tubasi family in the West Bank village of Jalud early on 29 September, hours after Israeli police and military escorted them back to their homes under a court order. More than 100 settlers stormed the property, set fire to two houses and a car, and forced the family to flee again.

Israeli forces arrived during the assault but did not stop the settlers, according to witnesses and local media. The military said soldiers worked to disperse rioters and protect residents, while also reporting that three officers were injured by stone-throwing.

“The family was shocked by the extent of the destruction and vandalism when they returned.”

The Tubasi family had been forcibly displaced in July after weeks of settler sieges and daily assaults aimed at seizing their property. A court ruled they must be allowed to return safely by 22 September; authorities escorted them back a week later.

President Isaac Herzog condemned clashes between settlers and soldiers as a "moral stain" but did not mention the attacks on Palestinians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the perpetrators as a "small number of rioters."

Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot blamed the violence on a "dangerous government policy" as settler attacks become a focus in Israel's upcoming election. The military said two suspects were apprehended.