'This assault wasn't just meant to burn the houses but also to kill - to kill women and children,' says Barhan Omar, standing in the charred ruins of his family's large villa, which Israeli settlers attacked on Sunday. He describes the ordeal: 'They came in big numbers. This was organised terrorism,' he recalls with tears in his eyes. 'What's terrifying is that you're sitting in your house with your children, then suddenly you come under fire.'

The Palestinian bank manager shares how settlers shot at his home in Deir al-Hatab, near Nablus, then set it ablaze. His children escaped only by hiding on their roof. Following a new surge of settler violence, this village—previously untouched by major attacks—now feels the repercussions of escalating tensions.

During the latest incident, at least ten locals were injured, including one man shot in the foot. The violence escalated after the funeral of a young Israeli, fueling fears that the situation will worsen. In a region where around 4,765 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence since early 2023, the repercussions are dire.

Throughout regions of the West Bank, settler violence has intensified. Human rights groups suggest that this is part of a systematic effort by the Israeli government to expand settlements and displace Palestinian communities. Critics, including local residents and human rights advocates, argue that the actions amount to ethnic cleansing, a claim the Israeli government strongly denies.

In Deir al-Hatab, locals fear future violence and feel pressure building that could spark another Palestinian uprising. As tensions rise, both residents and human rights organizations echo a demand for accountability and justice amid ongoing conflict.