Israeli settlers torch homes in West Bank village as army accused of aiding
Fresh footage released by Israeli human rights group Yesh Din shows settlers setting fire to Palestinian homes and farmland in Sinjil, a village northeast of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
The rights group documented at least two attacks this week, describing how settlers torched homes and agricultural trees while Israeli forces reportedly stood by.
According to Yesh Din, soldiers actively backed one of the assaults by firing tear gas at Palestinians attempting to extinguish the fires. One resident was killed during the violence.
“The military enables this and prevents emergency services from accessing the area,” the group said. It also linked the latest escalation to the recent creation of a settler “farm outpost” near Sinjil.
The incident adds to a growing pattern of settler violence across the occupied territory, as rights groups accuse Israeli forces of offering protection — or even direct support — to those carrying out attacks.
For the second time this week, settlers set fire to homes and trees in the village of #Sinjil.
— Yesh Din English (@Yesh_Din) April 23, 2025
Last time, the military shot tear gas at residents who were trying to put out the fires, and one of the residents was killed. In the past few days settlers have established a new… pic.twitter.com/sUjdkt6d4b