Palestinian Parents Fear for Children’s Lives as School Year Begins Amid Rising Settler Violence

As the new academic year commenced in the occupied West Bank village of al-Mughayyir, educators and parents faced a grim reality marked by heightened security fears. Bassam al-Assaf, the head-teacher of the local boys’ school, arrived before dawn to inspect newly installed barbed wire fencing and reinforced gates, noting the palpable anxiety among students and families.

The school community has been deeply affected by a spike in settler-related violence this year, which has resulted in six deaths in al-Mughayyir, including three pupils. In April, 14-year-old Aws al-Naasan was fatally shot by a settler outside the school premises. Waheed Abu Naem, an English teacher at the school, recounted witnessing the shooting and recalled that bullets struck the school building while students took cover in classrooms. The Israeli military stated that a reservist soldier fired after being targeted by stone-throwing suspects, and Israeli media later reported that the soldier was suspended pending an investigation.

Despite the dangers, some parents remain determined to send their children to school. Haroon Bishara, whose sons are in the first and second grades, volunteered to stand guard outside the school gates to provide a sense of security for the students. He emphasized that while fear is pervasive, the community refuses to be driven out by the threats.

The situation in al-Mughayyir reflects a broader pattern across the occupied West Bank, where illegal settler outposts are increasingly surrounding Palestinian villages. Hadi al-Naasan, an ambulance driver, observed a significant shift in Israeli military behavior over the past year, suggesting that soldiers now actively protect settlers during incursions rather than intervening to prevent violence. This change has coincided with a rise in injuries among children.

Sami Abu Rahma, a local sheep farmer, shared the story of his nine-year-old son, Salim, who was shot and injured while playing on the family farm in July. Security camera footage captured the moment Salim alerted his family to approaching settlers before being hit by gunfire. Abu Rahma stated that the shooter resided in an illegal outpost established near their land in June and had previously threatened the family to leave.

A UN Commission of Inquiry released in June alleged that settlers are deliberately targeting children as part of a coercive strategy to displace Palestinians from their land, a claim Israel dismissed as baseless. Meanwhile, regional settlers’ councils have condemned acts of violence but rejected allegations that the settlement community is collectively involved in such plans.

The violence has contributed to a sharp increase in casualties throughout the region. According to UN figures, 316 Palestinians have been killed and over 5,600 injured by Israeli forces or settlers from the beginning of 2025 through July 2026. In response to growing international pressure, including anticipated sanctions from the UK, Israel’s government faces scrutiny over its settlement policies. Despite some arrests of settlers and plans to dismantle unauthorized outposts, residents report that attacks continue and that demolished structures are often quickly rebuilt.