Deadly West Bank Settler Attack Near Nablus Leaves Two Dead and Three Injured
Two Palestinian men were shot dead in the northern West Bank on Monday during a reported settler shooting in the village of Qaryut, south of Nablus, according to the Palestinian Authority Health Ministry.
The victims were identified as Muhammad Muammar (52) and Fahim Muammar (47), who were brothers. Officials said the elder brother was shot in the head, while the younger brother suffered a gunshot wound to the pelvis.
Several Others Injured
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that three additional people were wounded in the attack, including a 15-year-old boy who was shot in the shoulder.
Emergency responders rushed the injured to nearby medical facilities while residents gathered at the scene.
Israeli Military Investigating
The Israeli military (IDF) said it had deployed troops to Qaryut after receiving reports of “friction” between Palestinians and nearby settlers.
Later, the military confirmed it received reports that two Palestinians had been killed and several others injured by gunfire in the area.
“The identity of the shooter and the circumstances of the incident are under investigation,” the IDF said in a statement.
The army added that it condemns the incident and views it with great severity, though no arrests were immediately reported.
Footage Shows Armed Settlers
Video footage circulating on Palestinian media outlets showed a group of settlers standing on a hill in the village, with one individual aiming an assault rifle toward an unseen target.
Other clips showed Palestinians carrying a wounded man who appeared to be bleeding from a head injury.
Rising Violence in the West Bank
The deaths of the Muammar brothers highlight a sharp rise in settler violence in the West Bank since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
According to Palestinian sources, 39 Palestinians have been killed in incidents involving settlers during this period.
Data released earlier this year by Israeli security agencies also showed a 27 percent increase in settler attacks in 2025 compared with 2024.
Serious incidents involving shootings, arson, and violent assaults have risen sharply in recent years. According to available data, 128 violent incidents were recorded in 2025, a significant increase compared with 83 incidents in 2024 and 54 incidents in 2023, highlighting a steady escalation in attacks.
Growing Criticism Over Lack of Accountability
Critics say many extremist settler attacks go largely unchecked, with few prosecutions and even fewer convictions.
In a separate incident last week, two Israeli activists were hospitalized after being beaten by settlers in the village of Qusra, prompting President Isaac Herzog to condemn the attack.
Meanwhile, Israel’s High Court of Justice recently demanded answers from senior military officers over failures to protect Palestinian farmers in the Jordan Valley from repeated harassment.
The latest shooting in Qaryut adds to growing concerns about security, accountability, and escalating violence across the West Bank.
Source: The Times of Israel