The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the recent killings carried out by armed settlers under the protection of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). These attacks resulted in the Killing of four Palestinians in Ramallah and Hebron in the West Bank. This marks the third deadly incident since the beginning of March 2026, following the killing of two brothers in Qaryout village, east of Nablus, on 2 March 2026. These incidents form part of a wave of escalating violence carried out by settlers under IOF protection, supported by Israeli judicial and political authorities.
According to eyewitnesses’ testimonies regarding the killing of two Palestinian civilians by settler fire and a third by IOF attacks in Ramallah, at approximately 02:00 on Sunday, 8 March 2026, a group of settlers arrived in eastern Abu Falah village, northeast of Ramallah. The settlers came from outposts established on the surrounding hills, notably one known as “Or Nehman.” The group, estimated at 50 to 70 individuals, carried firearms and were dressed in black, with some wearing black masks.
As the settlers arrived on lands near the village, clashes erupted with Palestinian youths who attempted to confront them by throwing stones to prevent them from advancing or assaulting property. The clashes continued for approximately an hour, during which the settlers fired live ammunition at the youths. As a result, two were killed and four others were injured by gunfire, while two more sustained injuries from stones.
The two individuals killed were identified as Fare’a Jawdat Hamayel (57), who sustained a bullet wound to the head at the beginning of the clashes, and Thaer Farouq Hamayel (24), who also sustained a bullet wound to the head. They were shot as the settlers advanced toward the hill where the youths were gathered, chasing them to the outskirts of the village. After the clashes ended and several youths had been injured, the settlers set fire to agricultural structures before leaving the area.
Approximately an hour after the clashes began, the IOF arrived in the vicinity of the village but did not intervene to stop the settlers’ attack. Instead, they fired teargas canisters heavily at the Palestinian youths, chasing them to the outskirts of the village to force them to leave. The use of teargas in the residential area caused suffocation among civilians, including Mohammed Hussein Morah (55), who later died as a result of suffocation.
The preliminary field investigation conducted by PCHR’s researcher in Abu Falah village revealed that the attack was organized, in terms of the number of settlers involved, their uniform clothing, concealed faces, and the use of firearms. Eyewitness testimonies also indicate that the pursuit of youths outside the incident scene, the shooting at them, and the burning of an agricultural facility after the clashes ended reflect a serious escalation in settler attacks on Palestinian villages northeast of Ramallah.
The IOF’s method of intervention indicates a recurring pattern, characterized by delays in stopping settlers’ attacks while simultaneously rushing to use force to disperse Palestinians. The IOF arrived after Palestinians had already been killed or injured but did not take any measures to prevent settlers from continuing their attacks or pursuing them. Instead, they focused on dispersing the youths using heavy teargas. As a result, the situation on the ground deteriorated, leading to suffocation cases, including the death of Morah.
In another incident in Hebron, a Palestinian was killed and his brother injured by gunfire from a settler wearing an Israeli military uniform. At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 7 March 2026, four settlers arrived carrying batons and accompanied by cows in the Wad al-Rakheem area, south of Yatta, coming from a settlement outpost established on Palestinian lands confiscated near Sousiya camp. Their intention was to graze their cows on Palestinian-owned lands. When members of the Shanaran family approached their lands to stop the settlers, the settlers attacked them with batons, resulting in multiple injuries. About half an hour later, a four-by-four vehicle (“dune buggy”) driven by a settler wearing an IOF uniform, known among Palestinians as “Loria Loweski” and residing in the settlement outpost, opened fire at Palestinians in the area. As a result, Amir Shanaran (29) sustained a bullet wound to the neck, and his brother Khaled Shanaran (34) sustained a bullet wound to the chest.
The two injured individuals remained on the ground for approximately 15 minutes before ambulances arrived to evacuate them to the governmental hospital in Yatta, where Amir Shanaran was pronounced dead from his wound. His brother, Khaled Shanaran, was referred to the al-Ahli Hospital in Hebron to undergo surgery and is currently receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit.
With this incident, the number of Palestinians killed by settlers since the beginning of the year has risen to six, while the total number of Palestinians killed by IOF and settlers has reached 18, including three children.
PCHR emphasizes that these crimes are carried out as part of a systematic pattern of violence, for which the IOF bears full responsibility, amid political support that shields settlers and guarantees their impunity.
PCHR recalls the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in July 2024, which confirmed that the continued Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967 is illegal and obligated the occupying state to immediately end its unlawful presence, including dismantling the settlements and evacuating the settlers.
PCHR reiterates that such crimes require urgent and effective action to halt the IOF and settlers’ crimes in the oPt, to end the apartheid system imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people.
PCHR calls for serious action to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable before international justice, end the policy of impunity, provide international protection for Palestinian civilians, and halt all forms of international support to Israel that enable it to continue its racist and colonial policies.
