Increasing Tensions: West Bank Under Fire in Gaza Conflict, Tragic Losses Reported

Ibrahim Wadi, aged 62, and his 24-year-old son, Ahmad, were en route to attend a funeral for four Palestinians who were fatally shot by Israeli settlers in their community in the occupied West Bank. Unfortunately, their car was targeted in an attack as they passed through the village of Qusra, located south of Nablus, which has been experiencing heightened violence in recent days. Tragically, the father and son were struck by gunfire from armed settlers on Thursday. According to their family members, both men were quickly transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to their injuries shortly thereafter.

Since October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise assault on Israel, at least 61 people, including children, have been killed in the occupied West Bank, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Over 1,250 individuals have also sustained injuries. According to Israeli authorities, the Hamas attack has resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people in Israel, predominantly civilians, with at least 199 individuals believed to be held hostage within Gaza.

Israel responded to the enclave's actions by imposing a comprehensive blockade. In retaliation, they launched extensive airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip, resulting in a death toll of at least 3,478 people, as reported by the health ministry in Gaza, which is under Hamas control. Additionally, tensions are escalating in the West Bank, with Palestinians being killed in clashes involving both Israeli forces and settlers.

Hani Odeh, Qusra's mayor, was also going to the funeral and witnessed settlers in a street where Ahmad and Ibrahim were killed.

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According to Qusras mayor, Hani Odeh, settlers in the village are able to freely move about with the protection of the Israeli police. Odeh had informed Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), that he planned to attend the funeral with Ahmad and Ibrahim. A few hours prior, an Israeli official advised Odeh to take an alternate route in order to avoid encountering settlers in the vicinity. However, to Odeh's dismay, the diverted road was occupied by settlers who eventually shot and killed Ahmad and Ibrahim in their vehicle.

Odeh witnessed the attack unfold from his vehicle as Israeli soldiers were patrolling the street. He approached one officer, imploring them to intervene and disperse the settlers, but no action was taken. He expressed a sense of being caught in a trap.

CNN has contacted COGAT and the IDF for their statements regarding Odeh's allegations, but has not yet received a response.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari, the spokesperson for the Israeli military, stated recently that they have been on high alert in the occupied territory. Furthermore, he mentioned that they are actively preparing to counter any potential attacks. In reference to the West Bank, Hagari emphasized, "Anyone who dares to challenge us in Judea and Samaria will face an enormous display of force."

A surge of attacks

Residents in the West Bank expressed their fear of increased violence from the Israeli military, security forces, and Israeli settlers. The region has experienced a surge in settler attacks, including one described as a "pogrom" by an Israeli military commander. Prior to the conflict with Hamas, tensions were already high in the West Bank. In response to Palestinian attacks on Israelis, Israel conducted frequent incursions and raids, resulting in a high number of casualties, marking a significant increase in violence compared to previous years.

Days after the tragic incident in Qusra, a town with a population of approximately 7,000, the residents are still in shock. The walls of houses and buildings are covered with photographs honoring the memory of the six individuals who lost their lives. A palpable sense of desolation permeates the atmosphere.

Armed settlers attacked an apartment building on October 11, killing four people.

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The apartment building on the outskirts of the village, where the initial four homicides occurred, is surrounded by torched vehicles, damaged water pumps, and vandalized electricity lines. Upon entering, the floor is covered in shards of glass, and the walls bear the scars of bullet marks.

On October 11, a group of armed settlers launched an attack on the building, prompting distress calls from its occupants. As several concerned neighbors arrived at the scene, the settlers opened fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals: Musaab Abu Raidi, aged 19, Obaida Abu Srour, aged 18, Hassan Muhannad, aged 22, and Moath Odesa, aged 29.

Inside the apartment building, Rabeea, who is just 19 years old, and her 12-year-old brother, Abdulrahman, were filled with horror as they witnessed the attack unfold before their eyes. In fear of potential repercussions from Israeli settlers, the siblings, who requested that their last name not be disclosed by CNN, shared their terrifying experience of being trapped inside the building while settlers mercilessly hurled rocks and opened fire.

Abdulrahman, 12, lost his father seven years ago when he was shot dead by Israeli settlers near Nablus.

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Their older brother and his six-year-old daughter sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. Odeh, the mayor, informed CNN that they are among the twelve individuals who were hospitalized following the assault.

Rabeea explained that her brother is unable to sleep at night due to extreme fear of being alone. CNN encountered the family while they were preparing to relocate to a different village, packing up their belongings.

"I'm overwhelmed with sadness. I have the urge to cry, but it feels helpless," she expressed. "I wish we could remain here, but the circumstances prevent us from doing so."

Their past is haunting them. Seven years back, Rabeea and Abdulrahman recounted the tragedy of their father being fatally shot by Israeli settlers in the vicinity of Nablus. The constant dread of further attacks compelled their family to relocate to Qusra. Now, crippled by fear, they are once again being coerced to abandon their dwelling.

Israel gained control and occupied the West Bank in 1967 after the six-day war, taking it from Jordan. Israeli civilians have since settled in the area, often with military protection, as they anticipate it being part of a future Palestinian state. Although the majority of the global community deems these settlements as illegal under international law, Israeli governments have consistently expressed their support for them. Israel regards the West Bank as "disputed territory" and maintains that its settlement policy is lawful.

This year, there has been a surge in violence between settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank following the election of the most right-wing, extremist government in Israeli history, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Between January and mid-September, the United Nations recorded a total of 798 incidents involving settlers in the occupied territory, resulting in 216 Palestinian casualties. During the same period, Israeli forces were responsible for the deaths of 179 Palestinians in the West Bank.

The IDF claims that the majority of individuals involved in these incidents are either suspected terrorists or individuals who engage in violent actions against its troops during raids. However, they do not provide evidence for every case to support this assertion.

Settlers have frequently faced accusations of perpetrating acts of violence against Palestinians, which extend beyond killings. These attacks encompass incidents of physical assault, property damage, and harassment.

Odeh insisted their aim is to drive Palestinians from their home and ultimately from the occupied West Bank.

Record housing approvals

This year, following international criticism, Netanyahu has directed Jewish settlers not to seize land in the West Bank without permission from the Israeli government. However, during his tenure, Israel has authorized an unprecedented number of housing units in West Bank settlements. Members of his extremist government, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who are settlers themselves, have faced allegations of instigating violence against Palestinians since assuming power.

Following the attack by Hamas on October 7, Palestinians in the West Bank are currently facing severe limitations on their movement. Israeli military forces have implemented comprehensive closures of checkpoints and roadblocks, according to multiple residents interviewed by CNN. These restrictions have had a major impact on the day-to-day lives of Palestinians, greatly impeding their ability to commute for work, attend school, receive medical treatment, and engage in other essential activities.

In a conversation with US President Joe Biden over the weekend, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged for an immediate cessation of settler assaults on individuals within Palestinian cities, villages, and refugee camps in the West Bank. He emphasized the importance of ending the loss of innocent civilian lives on both sides.

The wives, daughters, and sisters of Ahmad and Ibrahim Wadi told CNN's Becky Anderson they would continue to defend their land.

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At Ibrahim and Ahmad's residence, located just a short distance from the apartment building targeted in Qusra and within sight of an advancing Israeli settlement, their family - comprising of wives, daughters, and sisters - was engulfed in sorrow on Sunday.

Expressing her gratitude, Khitam Wadi, Ibrahim's spouse and Ahmad's mother, assured CNN, "We are blessed with resilience. With the grace of God, we shall endure with strength and fortitude."

"My husband had a deep love for his land, and he fiercely protected it. As long as we are alive, we will do the same," she declared.

Clearly affected by the situation, Khitam struggled to convey her sorrow. However, the younger women in the family, although also in pain, remained determined to hold their position.

Aseel Wadi's father and brother were killed by Israeli settlers as they drove to a funeral for Palestinians killed in their West Bank community.

"I am certainly feeling sad. The impact of all this weighs on me, but it does not diminish my strength. Throughout our whole lives, we have been facing similar challenges, and there has been no significant alteration," expressed Aseel, Ahmad's sister and Ibrahim's daughter.

"This is our home. My dad taught me to love my land. I will teach my kids the same. And I will stay for as long as I live."

CNNs Abeer Salman and Celine Alkhaldi contributed to this report.