Israeli settlers seize eight Palestinian homes in Jericho, displacing dozens

The United Nations has condemned the seizure of eight Palestinian homes by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho, saying the takeover forced dozens of residents to flee. The incident took place in Ein a-Duyuk a-Tahta, on the outskirts of Jericho, on Wednesday afternoon. According to the UN, the settlers assaulted residents during the takeover and used live ammunition.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the settlers also threw stones and physically assaulted Palestinian residents, prompting families to leave for their own safety. He said some of those displaced now lack adequate shelter. The Israeli military has since declared the area a closed military zone, which has prevented humanitarian workers from reaching those affected.

Peace Now, an Israeli settlement watchdog, said about 30 settlers were involved in the seizure. The group said settlers assaulted and robbed two Israeli activists and shot a Palestinian man in the leg during the incident. The settlers said they had legally purchased the homes, while Palestinian officials said the sale documents were forged.

Hussein Hamayel, the governor of the Jericho region, said the land belongs to the Palestinian Authority and cannot be sold. The episode adds to long-running tensions in the occupied West Bank, where settlement expansion remains one of the most disputed issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The land is in Area C, which has been under Israeli control since the Oslo Accords of the 1990s.

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Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements there, which are illegal under international law. The seizure also has immediate humanitarian implications because displaced families are reported to be without adequate shelter and aid access has been restricted by the military closure. The UN said it condemns the violence, while Palestinian officials have described the takeover as a forgery rather than a sale.

The involvement of a right-wing organisation that supports settlement expansion and annexation underscores the political sensitivity of the case. What remains unclear is the legal status of the homes, the condition of the Palestinian man reported shot in the leg, and how long the military closure will remain in place. It is also not clear whether humanitarian workers will be allowed access soon or whether further confrontations will follow.

The case is likely to remain under scrutiny as officials and rights groups assess the consequences for the displaced families and the wider area.

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