Homes and vehicles in the Palestinian village of Susya, in the southern West Bank, were set ablaze on Tuesday night in an attack apparently carried out by extremist Israeli settlers.
Footage published by Palestinian media showed several fires burning in the village, with reports indicating at least four locations were targeted, including a residential tent and the entrance to a family home even as a family was inside.
Two vehicles were set on fire, and another had its windows smashed, according to left-wing activists.
Four residents of the village were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene of the attack, the Palestinian Authority’s official WAFA news agency reported.
Israeli security forces eventually arrived, but the flames had died down by that point, and no arrests were made.
Security camera footage, published by Palestinian media and timestamped around 8:15 p.m., showed over a dozen masked and hooded assailants setting fire to a truck and another vehicle. Some of the assailants were carrying sticks.
In a video from the scene, a Palestinian resident could be heard yelling in Arabic to bring water to “the house,” and then, in Hebrew, stating that “children are inside!”
The Israel Defense Forces and Israel Police stated that when forces arrived in the South Hebron Hills village, the flames had been extinguished and there were no reports of injuries. They added that forces were searching the area for suspects and that the Shin Bet and police were investigating.
“Security forces harshly condemn incidents like this, and will continue to act to preserve law and order in the area,” they said in a joint statement.
As of Wednesday morning, no arrests had been reported.
Palestinian media also reported outbreaks of violence overnight in several villages in the Masafer Yatta area, near Susya. Residents of Khirbet Qawawis and Khirbet al-Halawa reported that their livestock had been released by settlers, with similar scenes reported in al-Mirkaz and Khirbet at Tabban.
Settlers Return to Demolished Outpost
In the northern West Bank, settlers were filmed on Tuesday rebuilding an illegal outpost in Area B, which is under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority. The outpost, named Kol Mevaser, has been dismantled by Israeli authorities several times due to it being deemed a security risk.
Settlers were filmed using heavy construction equipment, suggesting the IDF may be allowing the illegal construction to proceed.
Mukhmas was the site of deadly violence last week, when armed settlers shot and killed 19-year-old Palestinian-American Nasrallah Abu Siam and wounded four other men. Abu Siam was the first person killed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank in 2026, and the 37th since the Hamas-led onslaught of October 7, 2023, according to WAFA.
Settler attacks have increased since the Hamas onslaught, occurring on a near-daily basis and largely going unchecked. Prosecutions of Jewish extremists are rare, and convictions are even rarer. Data published by the IDF and Shin Bet security agency last month showed a 27 percent rise in settler attacks in 2025 compared to the previous year.
In 2025, there was an increase in severe incidents, including shootings, arson, and other violent crimes: 128 in the past year, compared with 83 in 2024 and 54 in 2023, according to the data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Susya?
Homes and vehicles in the Palestinian village of Susya were set ablaze on Tuesday night in an attack apparently carried out by extremist Israeli settlers.
Were any arrests made?
As of Wednesday morning, no arrests had been reported in connection with the attack in Susya.
What is the status of the Kol Mevaser outpost?
Settlers were filmed on Tuesday rebuilding the Kol Mevaser outpost in the northern West Bank, despite it being an illegal construction and having been previously dismantled by Israeli authorities.
What factors might contribute to a further escalation of violence in the West Bank?
