Summary of the situation in At-Tuwani (West Bank):

Context and Location:

At-Tuwani is a Palestinian farming village located in the southern West Bank near Hebron, home to approximately 1,600 people. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, violence against Palestinian villagers has escalated dramatically.

Increased Settler Violence Post-October 7:

Following Hamas’s attack, Israel’s military presence in the West Bank increased, as well as settler aggression towards Palestinians. Settler violence, particularly by extremist groups, intensified. Incidents such as raids, destruction of property, and shootings became more frequent, aimed at displacing Palestinians from their land. Settlers have been emboldened, forming quasi-military forces and gaining new powers, such as the authority to arrest and declare closed military zones.

Incidents in At-Tuwani:

October 12, 2023: Settlers set up an observation post on land belonging to the Hureini family, cutting branches from fig trees and grapevines. When villagers confronted them, they were threatened with guns.

October 13, 2023: A settler shot Zakariya Adra, a resident, in the stomach during an altercation. The shooting was filmed, and the settler faced no immediate consequences, though his gun license was revoked.

January 28, 2025, A resident, Mohsab, was bringing building materials to his house with a truck when a settler approached and tried to intimidate him by saying that this building activity was not allowed. The settler then tried to use his qun to shoot the tires of the truck.

On July 25, 2025, in the evening, dozens of settlers, accompanied by massive forces of the Border Police and the army, invaded the village of Tuwani in order to steal sheep from the residents' herds, claiming they were recovering livestock that had been stolen from them—without any proof. The forces violently assaulted the village residents and allowed the settlers to steal three sheep from the herd belonging to the citizen Fadl Rabi.. The head of the village council, Muhammad Rabi, was attacked by Border Police officers who choked him, kicked him, and shoved the barrel of a rifle into his stomach. He is currently hospitalized. Several other residents were injured from being kicked and shoved by the soldiers and officers. Many of the settlers who invaded the village are well-known, including some who have been documented in the past attacking residents of the area's villages. Among the intruders present were: Yisrael Bloch, Itamar Levi, Issachar Mann, Amishav Peled, and the father and son—Avia and David Weinstock, who were the ones who personally took the sheep out of the pen.

On February 21, 2026, Settlers wearing the colors of occupation forces stormed the village, and attacked a neighbor of Mohammed Hureini, Mufdi Rabai and his son Majd Rabai while they were grazing their sheep on their own land. They beat Mufdi Rabai, who suffers from health problems, and left him lying on the ground for hours. They prevented ambulances from reaching him. Then they arrested my friend Majd Rabai and a solidarity activist. They shot into the air and prevented us from approaching or filming. They assaulted residents and confiscated the ambulance keys and the paramedics’ phones to prevent them from taking the Palestinian they injured to the hospital

Impact on Agriculture and Livelihoods:

Attacks on crops and livestock have become more frequent, particularly during key points in the agricultural calendar, making farming nearly impossible for Palestinian villagers. Families in At-Tuwani have struggled to harvest their olives, plough their land, or graze livestock due to threats from settlers.

Settler Communities:

Nearby Israeli settlements like Ma’on and its outpost Havat Ma’on are known for their violence against Palestinians. These outposts are illegal even under Israeli law but remain active and often unregulated. Settler ideology in some areas is deeply extremist, with leaders like Yehoshafat Tor openly advocating violence against Palestinians. In late 2022, Tor, a resident of Havat Ma’on, launched a crowdfunding campaign to pay off debts and complained about ongoing conflicts during Shabbat. He reported the theft of sheep worth about $130,000. Previously, the Israeli government had demolished buildings he and his wife built, a rare enforcement of demolition orders in illegal outposts.

The settlements of Ma’on and Havat Ma’on are supported by the U.S. charity One Israel Fund, which provides security equipment. Eve Harow, the fund’s tourism director, claimed these settlements prevent the creation of a “Jihadist entity” and protect Israel from potential massacres like those on October 7.

The Israeli military is closely linked to settlers, with many soldiers coming from settlements. After the October 7 attacks, settlers were further mobilized to defend their communities. In the West Bank near At-Tuwani, it’s often difficult to distinguish between soldiers and settlers, as many settlers don military-style uniforms. Activists note that some settlers mobilized in recent months are more aggressive than regular soldiers, wearing far-right symbols like the Third Temple movement patch, symbolizing extremist beliefs about controlling religious sites in Jerusalem.

Betzalel Taljah's role:

Settler and Israeli military reservist. He leads a battalion responsible for security of 24 settlements, including Ma’on and Havat Ma’on. Blurs the distinction between settlers and military forces. He wears patches combining the Israeli flag with far-right symbols like the Punisher skull. Known for aggressive interactions with Palestinians and activists. He has intimidated farmers, searched phones for Gaza-related content, and used violence during confrontations. Frequently escalates tensions, often screaming and pointing his gun at Palestinians. He used to detained Palestinian shepherds and declared their grazing land a closed military zone for 30 days, depriving them of essential resources.

Broader context :

Since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, settlers have focused on expanding control, particularly in Area C, under full Israeli military authority. Many settlers believe they have a religious right to the land, while others move for economic reasons. Dror Etkes of Kerem Navot estimates settlers have taken over 37,000 acres of Palestinian land since October 7. In response to rising settler violence, the international community, including the U.S. and EU, has imposed sanctions on several settlers and groups.