Israeli settlers set fire to homes and vehicles in the West Bank village of Duma early Monday, hours before Israel is set to engage in a flurry of diplomatic activity with regional and international leaders, according to Palestinian officials and Israeli police. the attacks, condemned by Israeli officials, occurred as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares for meetings with counterparts and envoys focused on post-conflict Gaza and regional security.
The violence in duma underscores the escalating tensions in the West Bank amid the ongoing war in gaza and raises concerns about further unrest as diplomatic efforts intensify. The attacks directly impact the residents of Duma, displacing families and destroying property, and reflect a broader pattern of settler violence against Palestinians that has drawn international criticism. The timing, coinciding with a busy diplomatic week for Israel, adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught regional landscape.
Palestinian witnesses reported that dozens of settlers, some wearing masks, entered Duma overnight, torching several homes and cars. Footage circulating online showed flames engulfing buildings and thick smoke rising from the village. No fatalities were reported, but several residents were treated for smoke inhalation, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Israeli police confirmed they were investigating the incident and had launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.”We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness,” a police spokesperson said. “All those involved will be brought to justice.”
The attacks drew swift condemnation from Palestinian Authority officials, who accused Israel of failing to protect Palestinians from settler violence. “This is a clear escalation and a direct result of the incitement and support provided by the Israeli government to settlers,” said a spokesperson for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The diplomatic push beginning this week includes meetings with the Egyptian president, the Jordanian king, and a U.S. envoy, all aimed at discussing the future of Gaza and preventing a wider regional conflict. The violence in Duma threatens to complicate these discussions and further strain relations between Israel and key Arab allies.
The war in Gaza, which began with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians in the coastal enclave, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by autonomous experts. The conflict has also triggered protests worldwide and led to allegations of genocide, which Israel denies.