JERUSALEM, December 28, 2025 — A wave of violence is escalating in the occupied West Bank, with Israeli colonists attacking the Khillat al-Sidra Bedouin community near Mukhmas on Sunday evening, stealing property and further threatening the already vulnerable Palestinian residents. The incident underscores a troubling pattern of escalating attacks targeting Bedouin communities.
Escalating Violence Targets Palestinian Communities
Recent attacks highlight growing tensions and fears of forced displacement in the region.
- Israeli colonists attacked the Khillat al-Sidra Bedouin community on December 28, 2025, stealing solar-powered floodlights.
- This attack followed a similar incident the previous night, where stones were thrown at residents’ homes.
- The Khillat al-Sidra community is encircled by six colonial outposts, serving as bases for these attacks.
- According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, there were 2,144 attacks in November alone.
What’s driving the increased attacks against Palestinian communities in the West Bank? The Jerusalem Governorate attributes the persistent attacks to a deliberate effort to forcibly displace residents and empty the area, creating space for colonial expansion.
The Jerusalem Governorate stated that approximately 15 colonists attacked the community, making off with solar-powered floodlights. This wasn’t an isolated incident; residents reported a similar attack the night before, where their dwellings were pelted with stones. The Khillat al-Sidra community finds itself strategically surrounded by six colonial outposts, which authorities say serve as launching points for these assaults, designed to intimidate and ultimately drive Palestinians from their land.
The governorate has issued a strong call for urgent measures to protect the Bedouin communities, emphasizing that these attacks represent a systematic attempt at forced displacement. The situation is particularly concerning given the increasing frequency and intensity of these incidents.
Data from the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reveals a disturbing trend: November saw a total of 2,144 attacks, broken down as 1,523 perpetrated by Israeli forces and 621 by colonists. The governorates most affected were Ramallah and al-Bireh (360 attacks), Hebron (348), Bethlehem (342), and Nablus (334). These figures paint a grim picture of the escalating violence and the widespread impact on Palestinian communities.
The attacks are not merely random acts of violence, but rather a calculated strategy to exert pressure on Palestinian residents and compel them to abandon their homes and livelihoods. The situation demands immediate attention and a concerted effort to ensure the safety and security of vulnerable communities.
What do you think should be done to de-escalate the situation and protect Palestinian communities?
