The United Nations condemned the seizure of eight Palestinian homes by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank city of Jericho on Thursday. Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said the settlers used live ammunition during the takeover.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Ein a-Duyuk a-Tahta on the outskirts of Jericho. Around 30 settlers arrived to take over the properties, assaulting residents and throwing stones to force families to flee.
Dujarric told reporters that some of the displaced people now lack adequate shelter. The Israeli military declared the area a closed military zone following the takeover, blocking humanitarian workers from reaching those affected.
The Israeli settlement watchdog Peace Now stated that the group of settlers assaulted and robbed two Israeli activists. They also shot a Palestinian man in the leg during the operation.
Settlers claimed they legally purchased the homes. Hanan Greenwood, a settler representative, told the AFP news agency that the right-wing organisation Nachala bought the eight houses with their help.
Nachala finances the establishment of new settlements in the occupied West Bank and campaigns for Israeli annexation of the territory. Greenwood stated he was very excited to be at the site.
Palestinian officials rejected the purchase claims entirely. Hussein Hamayel, governor of the Jericho region, told the AFP that the land belongs to the Palestinian Authority and cannot be sold.
Hamayel stated that the transaction was based on forgery rather than a legitimate sale, describing the claims as settler propaganda.
The property sits in Area C of the West Bank, which has remained under Israeli control since the 1990s Oslo Accords. Israel has occupied the territory since 1967.
More than 500,000 Israelis currently live in settlements across the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Several Palestinian communities in the greater Jericho area have already been driven from their homes this year amid rising settler violence.
Local residents fear the new settlers will increase local violence and bring a heavier military presence. Peace Now said a similar pattern in Hebron has led to constant friction, movement restrictions, and the displacement of thousands of Palestinians.
