UN Reports Record Surge in Israeli Settler Attacks in West Bank Amid Rising Violence

The United Nations has reported a dramatic increase in Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, marking October 2025 as the most violent month since records began in 2006. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 264 incidents were recorded during the month — an average of eight attacks per day — resulting in casualties and extensive property damage.

OCHA stated that it has documented over 9,600 such attacks since 2006, with around 1,500 occurring in 2025 alone, representing roughly 15% of all reported cases. The alarming escalation underscores growing instability in the West Bank, home to approximately 2.7 million Palestinians. Despite international opposition, Israeli settlements have continued to expand, fragmenting Palestinian territories and complicating prospects for a two-state solution.

The United Nations, alongside most countries, considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. However, Israel disputes this interpretation and continues to support the settlement expansion, where more than 500,000 Israeli settlers now reside.

In addition to settler violence, OCHA confirmed that Israeli forces have killed 42 Palestinian children in the West Bank so far this year, accounting for one in every five Palestinian fatalities. The organization warned that such violence risks further destabilizing the region and intensifying tensions amid ongoing political uncertainty.

These attacks persist despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, which temporarily reduced hostilities and allowed for the release of hostages. Israel’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately comment on the report.

The UN has urged all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation and ensure accountability for those responsible for violence against civilians.