Jerusalem: Illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank are increasingly targeting Palestinians during the ongoing conflict with Iran, exploiting imposed movement restrictions, as reported by rights groups and medical personnel. The roadblocks set up by the military have significantly hampered emergency services' ability to reach victims promptly.

According to TRTworld.com, since the United States and Israel initiated airstrikes against Iran on February 28, settlers have killed at least five Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed these deaths, while a sixth victim succumbed to teargas inhalation during an attack, as reported by the Israeli rights group BTselem.

Israel's military has reinforced many occupied West Bank roads with iron gates and mounds of earth since the war began, effectively sealing off crossings with Israel. The military justifies these restrictions as precautionary measures amidst ongoing airstrikes on Iran and Hezbollah, which has launched missiles at Israel in support of Tehran.

Residents of remote West Bank villages report increased vulnerability to settler violence due to these roadblocks. The Israeli military continues to conduct raids in Palestinian cities and towns, arresting individuals often without charge. In a recent incident, Thaer Beirat was shot dead by settlers while attempting to protect his village, Abu Falah, north of Ramallah.

Medics have voiced concerns over the roadblocks' impact on reaching the injured promptly. Ahmed Jibril of the Palestinian Red Crescent highlighted the obstacles and attacks faced by medical crews. Over 109 incidents of settler violence have been reported since the conflict began, according to Israeli monitoring group Yesh Din.

Settler violence has intensified, with all reported killings occurring in the last week, as per BTselem. Incidents include the fatal shooting of Palestinians in villages near Hebron and Nablus. BTselem attributes these attacks to armed settler militias, often operating with military support, aiming to displace Palestinian communities.

The United Nations reported nearly 700 Palestinians displaced by settler violence from the start of 2025 through early 2026. Israeli settlements have expanded under the current government, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's construction push intended to undermine the idea of a Palestinian state.

Palestinians continue to seek an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war. International law considers Israel's settlement activity in these areas illegal, a stance supported by a 2024 European Union report documenting over 700,000 illegal settlers in the regions.