Tensions flared into a tragic, fatal confrontation in the occupied West Bank on June 25, 2025. A violent assault by israeli settlers on the Palestinian village of Kafr malik, near Ramallah, escalated dramatically when Israeli security forces arrived. This sequence of events culminated in Israeli troops opening fire, killing three Palestinians and injuring several others. The incident stands as a stark and devastating illustration of the intensifying cycle of conflict across the territory. It immediately triggered widespread condemnation and renewed urgent appeals for international intervention and accountability.
The attack unfolded on Wednesday evening, reportedly starting around 7 pm. According to multiple reports and witness accounts, a large group of Israeli settlers descended upon Kafr Malik. Estimates varied, suggesting anywhere from over 50 to more than a hundred attackers were involved. These settlers reportedly originated from a recently established outpost positioned between Kafr Malik and the nearby village of Al-Mazra’a al-Sharqiya. The village, located northeast of Ramallah in Area C of the West Bank, became the scene of significant destruction.
Settler Assault Ignites Violence
Settlers targeted the southern part of the town during their raid. Witnesses described the attackers as aggressive and menacing. Some harrowing accounts from residents referred to them as “monsters” due to their ferocity and actions. Settlers reportedly set fire to parts of at least three homes. They also completely destroyed four vehicles by burning them. Videos shared from the scene depicted cars engulfed in intense flames, illustrating the scale of the destruction.
One specific report detailed how a family of 20, including six children, became trapped inside their home as settlers set it ablaze. Townspeople bravely rushed towards the burning structure to rescue the family members inside. These actions caused widespread panic and chaos within the community as residents faced the sudden and brutal onslaught.
Community Defends Homes, Army Arrives
Residents of Kafr Malik and surrounding areas quickly gathered. They attempted to defend their homes and protect their community from the attackers. Confronting the settlers, villagers reportedly used stones and their bare hands in desperate attempts to push back the assailants and extinguish the fires. This confrontation between the unarmed or lightly armed villagers and the armed settlers rapidly escalated the volatile situation.
As the clash intensified, Israeli security forces arrived at the scene. According to multiple reports, including witness statements and accounts later citing an Israeli security source, these forces positioned themselves behind the settler group. An exchange of fire occurred during the events. This exchange reportedly involved stones thrown by Palestinians attempting to defend their village and gunfire.
Military Fire Leads to Tragic Fatalities
The intervention by Israeli security forces resulted in tragic casualties among the Palestinian residents. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that three Palestinians were killed in Kafr Malik. They have been identified as Murshed Hamayel (30 or 35 years old), Mohamad Al-Naji (21 years old), and Lotfi Baerat or Sabri (18 or listed as Lutfi Sabri, recently released from detention). While initial reports were ambiguous about the source of the fatal shots, accounts from sources like Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and Watanserb, explicitly state that Israeli troops opened fire.
These reports strongly indicate that the gunfire from Israeli security forces was responsible for the deaths of the three Palestinians. An Israeli security source later confirmed that Israeli military units arrived, opened fire, and killed the three Palestinians. This source noted that a military investigation was underway to understand why soldiers fired on Palestinians after they had been attacked by settlers. One victim, Murshid Hamayel, was reportedly shot directly in the head outside his home while trying to protect his children. His brother recounted the difficulty reaching him due to ongoing gunfire, leading to his death from bleeding.
Injuries and Delayed Medical Aid
In addition to the fatalities, several Palestinians sustained injuries during the clash. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported treating at least seven wounded individuals from gunfire. Some of these cases were described as serious. An Israeli security source also reported that ten Palestinians were injured by stones thrown by the settlers during the initial attack, alongside injuries from tear gas and physical clashes.
Emergency medical response faced significant obstacles. Medical crews were reportedly initially blocked from reaching the wounded. This forced residents to use private vehicles to transport casualties to ambulances waiting outside the town. The main entrance to Kafr Malik has been closed off by Israeli forces with an iron gate for the past six months. This requires ambulances to take a detour of over 40 kilometers, significantly longer than the usual route. Residents noted that this delay likely caused a deterioration in the condition of some wounded, potentially contributing to the deaths of individuals who were conscious when evacuated.
Aftermath and Controversial Reactions
Following the deadly incident, Israeli security forces reportedly arrested five Israeli suspects. However, press reports and human rights activists indicated these individuals were released without charge early the next morning. This quick release reportedly sparked anger among some settlers, allegedly fueling a subsequent, separate incident. Days after the Kafr Malik attack, dozens of settlers rampaged at an Israeli military base nearby. They set fires and attacked soldiers, reportedly fueled by resentment over the arrests following the Wednesday incident.
The attack on the military base prompted stronger initial condemnations from Israeli officials than the fatal assault on Kafr Malik. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the attack on the base “violent and anarchic.” Far-right Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also condemned attacking security forces as a “red line.” Opposition figure Yair Lapid labeled the attackers on the base “Jewish terrorists.” However, Israeli opposition leader Yair Golan directly condemned the Kafr Malik events as a “violent Jewish massacre,” criticizing the Netanyahu government for not preventing such crimes and accusing it of supporting violent gangs. Another Israeli minister, Bezalel Smotrich, drew sharp criticism for appearing to side with settlers who clashed with soldiers, stating that military live fire against Jews was a “forbidden and dangerous crossing of a red line.” This stance was condemned by opposition figures as racist.
Context of Escalating West Bank Violence
The fatal events in Kafr Malik occurred amidst a deeply disturbing pattern of escalating violence across the occupied West Bank. The territory, seized by Israel in 1967, is home to approximately three million Palestinians living under Israeli military rule and around 700,000 Jewish settlers residing in settlements widely considered illegal under international law, a stance recently reiterated by the International Court of Justice. Settler violence against Palestinians has seen a significant increase, particularly over the past two years and acutely since the conflict triggered by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Palestinians report not only increased settler aggression but also greater restrictions on movement, including more checkpoints and delays. Statistics grimly underscore the severity. Data reported by Israeli Army Radio indicated a 30 percent increase in settler attacks during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 (414 vs 318). The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission documented a staggering 415 settler attacks just in May 2025 alone, and over 5,000 since October 2023, resulting in 26 Palestinian deaths from settler gunfire during that period. Attacks are also becoming increasingly violent, according to Israeli military officials.
The deadly attack on June 25th occurred just two days after another tragedy struck Kafr Malik: 13-year-old Ammar Hamayel was also killed by Israeli gunfire in the village on June 23rd. This close proximity in deaths highlights the intense and frequent nature of violence impacting communities like Kafr Malik. Residents describe fearing to tend their olive groves or allowing children far from home due to the constant risk of being shot by settlers or soldiers. Shepherds report ambushes and livestock theft. Settlers also reportedly seize hilltops, preventing residents from grazing or farming, as part of what some view as a long-term takeover strategy. The Ain Samia spring, a traditional water source, was seized by settlers in October 2023, barring Palestinians and leading to the forced removal of nearby Bedouin communities. Since October 7th, at least 986 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem by Israeli troops or settlers, with nearly 7,000 injured and over 17,500 arrested.
Other Fatalities on the Same Day
The violence in Kafr Malik was tragically not an isolated event on June 25th. On the same day, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy, Rayan Tamer Houshieh, was killed by the Israeli army in Al-Yamoun, west of Jenin. He died from a gunshot wound to the neck during an army raid. Earlier that Wednesday, a 66-year-old woman, Zahriya Joudeh al-Obaid, was also shot and killed by Israeli forces during a raid on the Shu’fat refugee camp near occupied East Jerusalem. Her husband stated she was shot in the head while on the roof of their home. These multiple deaths on a single day underscore the pervasive and deadly threat Palestinian civilians face across different areas of the West Bank.
International Response and Human Rights Concerns
The events in Kafr Malik prompted strong reactions. Palestinian officials forcefully condemned the violence, characterizing it as part of a “systematic Israeli policy” enabled by the current “extremist occupation government.” They accused officials like Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich of providing “full political cover to settler militias.” They argued international inaction only emboldens them and urged concrete action beyond reports.
A significant international delegation, including around 20 EU ambassadors and diplomats, joined by Canada and the UK, visited Kafr Malik on June 30th. Their purpose was to assess damage and meet victim families. The EU Representative for Palestine expressed the delegation was “deeply shocked and disturbed,” condemning the violence. He stated clearly that “No one should be killed in their home” or “forced to live in fear,” demanding the violence stop and emphasizing that “These crimes cannot go unpunished.”
From an international law and human rights perspective, the incident highlights critical failures. The lack of accountability for settler violence is a recurring concern. Human rights groups argue this climate of impunity, sometimes coupled with the presence or actions of Israeli forces, enables further attacks. One human rights group described the events as an example of ethnic cleansing, stating settler violence is becoming deadlier with perceived government and military backing. The UN Human Rights office has repeatedly voiced alarm, calling for Israel to cease settlement activities, evacuate settlers, and prevent and punish attacks by security forces and settlers alike. The precarious security situation and inadequate protection for Palestinian civilians remain a critical concern for international observers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What occurred during the settler attack in Kafr Malik on June 25, 2025?
On the evening of June 25th, 2025, Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Kafr Malik, burning homes and vehicles. Villagers attempted to defend themselves. Israeli security forces arrived during the confrontation. Reports indicate Israeli troops opened fire, killing three Palestinian men and injuring several others. While five settlers were arrested initially, reports state they were quickly released, sparking further tensions.
Why is West Bank settler violence increasing, and what is the military’s role?
Settler violence has surged dramatically, particularly since October 2023. This increase is linked to the expansion of illegal settlements, the Israeli occupation, and heightened tensions following events of October 7th. Statistics show a significant rise in attacks. Critics and human rights groups claim this escalation is enabled by a perceived climate of impunity, lack of accountability for settlers, and, in some cases, alleged protection or complicity by Israeli forces, as seen in the Kafr Malik incident where the military fired on Palestinians.
How did the Kafr Malik community and international bodies react to the attack?
The Kafr Malik community experienced profound grief and fear, facing delayed medical access due to entry restrictions. Palestinian officials strongly condemned the attack, labeling it part of a systematic Israeli policy and calling for international action. An EU-led delegation visited the village, expressing shock and demanding accountability. While Israeli officials condemned subsequent settler violence against soldiers, initial condemnation of the attack on the village was less forceful. Israeli opposition figures called the event a “massacre.”
The brutal events in Kafr Malik on June 25th represent a stark and tragic illustration of the spiraling violence in the occupied West Bank. A deadly attack by Israeli settlers, followed by the confirmed firing by Israeli security forces that resulted in three Palestinian deaths, underscores the profound insecurity faced by Palestinian communities. Against a backdrop of surging settler aggression, frequent military operations, and reports of settler arrests followed by quick releases, the lack of adequate protection and accountability perpetuates a cycle of devastating human loss. Addressing the root causes of the conflict, ending illegal settlement activity, ensuring accountability for all acts of violence, and providing genuine protection for civilians are critical steps. Without these, preventing further tragedies and building towards a just and stable future in the region remains an immense challenge.
References
- www.middleeasteye.net
- <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/06/30/israeli-settlers-protected-by-the-army-ramp-up-violence-in-occupied-west-bank67428444.html”>www.lemonde.fr
- <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2025/6/26/headlines/israelisoldierskill3palestiniansasdozensofisraelisettlersattackwestbank_village”>www.democracynow.org
- www.thenationalnews.com
- www.watanserb.com
