Israeli Settlers Block Palestinian Man's Return to West Bank Home in Jalud

Israeli settlers prevented a Palestinian man from re-entering his home in the West Bank village of Jalud, clashing with soldiers who had been escorting him there, according to accounts from the homeowner and the Israeli military.

Mahmoud Tubasi, 60, said the Palestinian Civil Affairs Authority and the Israeli military coordinated his return, with an Israeli liaison officer arriving in the town. He, his wife and his son travelled in his car, flanked by military vehicles, until they reached the house.

On arrival, Tubasi said, they found the property destroyed — without electricity, windows or doors. Within minutes, he said, settlers began gathering and surrounded them, confronting the army before soldiers fired tear gas. He estimated the crowd grew to more than 150 settlers.

"The Israeli army was no longer able to control the situation," Tubasi said. According to his account, the settlers burned the car the family had used to reach the house, prompting the military to evacuate them in an armored vehicle. Stones were thrown at the vehicle as it left, and after travelling about 100 metres, he said he saw settlers beginning to set houses on fire.

Tubasi said the house has been besieged by settlers for two months and that he still cannot access it. "I had hoped to return safely. But now I feel bitterness, pain and sadness," he said. "Even if I do return, I will do so with fear and great suffering."

Israel's military acknowledged that the overnight operation to return the family "was not completed" and said three officers were injured by settlers who threw rocks, blocked roads and set Palestinian property on fire.

Israeli police said they arrested three settlers suspected of taking part in the riot. The violence drew condemnation from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Gidon Saar and President Isaac Herzog.

The episode underscores the military's difficulty in containing the latest wave of settler violence. Rights groups have accused the military of colluding with settlers.