New Facts: Settler Violence Sparks Fears of Third Intifada

Warnings of a third Palestinian uprising grew as Israel advanced steps that tighten its hold on the West Bank. On August 14, Defense Minister Israel Katz told the army to prepare to shift law enforcement in the territory to the police and tied the change to an expected rise in settlers. Days later, tenders went out for 1,234 homes in the E1 tract east of Jerusalem, a project that would split the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem.

Settler violence has accelerated to a pace not seen in decades. Counts put this year’s attacks above 1,100, with another count topping 1,330 by late July, and by July settlers were forcing an average of 17 Palestinians a day from their homes. Assaults have also nearly doubled since 2025 inside areas that are supposed to be under Palestinian Authority rule.

Incidents illustrate the shift: a 15 day siege by settlers of three homes in Qusra, including a Palestinian American family, with water and power lines cut and soldiers occupying one house; and last month’s clashes near Nablus that left four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers dead during a confrontation involving settlers. In July, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the hilltop compound in Jerusalem that houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque with thousands under police protection, a flashpoint that could change the security picture within hours. Some assessments still judge the West Bank short of the conditions that preceded the 2000 uprising, but new armed groups such as the Jenin Brigades and Lions’ Den are drawing disaffected youth.

AI-synthesized from multiple reported sources