On August 24, 2025, an Action Against Hunger staff member was seriously injured by masked settlers while tending to his land with his family in the Hebron Governorate in the West Bank. The attack occurred outside of working hours and resulted in hospitalisation, as well as extensive property damage. This incident is not isolated, but rather exemplifies the alarming escalation of settler violence, which has been observed as increasing in both frequency and severity since October 2023.
Data from the UN and OCHA reveal that the settler attacks have risen steeply in the West Bank since October 2023, with over 1,000 attacks in 230 communities since the beginning of 2025, resulting in the death of 11 Palestinians, and injury of at least 700 others. Since 2024, settler violence incidents have amounted to 2,374.
Seven armed and masked settlers conducted the attack and was only stopped after nearby neighbours came to the area.
Recalling the attack, the injured Action Against Hunger staff member said:
“Before I could even address the settlers, they began attacking us with pipes. I could not defend myself. There is a nearby settlement that wants to expand into our land. Unfortunately, we have confrontations with settlers frequently, but most were verbal. This time was different.”
He sustained serious injuries to the head, resulting in internal bleeding, and was hospitalised for multiple days for recovery. He has since returned home and is now healing.
Action Against Hunger has operated across the occupied Palestinian territory for over 20 years, bearing witness to the growing challenges faced by Palestinian communities in the West Bank, including the additional pressure attacks like these put on Palestinian communities to flee in search of safety.
“Every day gets worse,” said one staff member who works closely with communities supported by Action Against Hunger across the West Bank. “There are too many incidents which happen on a daily basis. And each is more brutal than the last. Some days, we cannot even address how many incidents we receive.”
Since January 2025, at least 926 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced as a result of settler violence and access restrictions. Action Against Hunger stands in support of our colleague and his family, reaffirming our commitment to uphold the right of Palestinian communities in the West Bank to remain on their land.
Action Against Hunger has been operating in the occupied Palestinian territory since 2002, providing support to vulnerable communities and responding to the urgent needs of internally displaced persons.