Palestine: Never-ending violence by Israeli settlers and military psychologically scars Hebron’s Palestinian community
The practices and policies of the Israeli government to reportedly annex the West Bank are impacting the physical and mental health of patients.
The constant fear of aggression and violence, committed by Israeli settlers and armed forces, takes a massive toll on the mental health of Palestinians in the West Bank, especially the people living in Hebron’s southern countryside, in areas like Masafer Yatta. There, the daily threats of forcible transfer, injury and as we have seen in recent weeks, possible death is ever present.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) operates mobile clinics in the area but various security concerns, including the escalating settlers’ violence, have severely disrupted our activities.
“We are currently seeing multiple home demolitions by Israeli forces who have come to villages in Masafer Yatta numerous times,” says Frederieke Van Dongen, humanitarian affairs manager in Hebron. “Some villages have had up to 85 per cent of their homes demolished. The practices and policies of the Israeli government to reportedly annex the West Bank are impacting the physical and mental health of patients. Attacks from settlers, who are often accompanied by the Israeli army, are happening on an almost daily basis now and these attacks are becoming more violent, resulting in more injuries and hospitalization.”
Intensified attacks leave physical and psychological wounds
In recent months, Palestinian residents of Masafer Yatta have faced intensified attacks from Israeli settlers. Residents describe near-daily incidents: beatings, livestock set loose to trample through farmland, roads blocked, homes demolished and constant psychological pressure.
In May, settlers stormed the community of Jinba, in Masafer Yatta. They left behind broken bodies, destroyed crops and a growing fear that peace is no longer possible.
“The recent increase in frequency and intensity of attacks by settlers and the Israeli military is part of a policy of forced displacement and annexation that must end. Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to protect Palestinians. Instead, Israeli forces enable or even join settlers’ attacks against Palestinians.”
Frederieke Van Dongen, humanitarian affairs manager in Hebron
“They struck an old man on the head. He needed more than 15 stitches,” says Ali Al Jabreen, a community member from Jinba. “One of the injured people is still here, his hand is broken. One man suffered severe psychological problems after two weeks in intensive care. The violence just keeps going.”
“They came in three cars – about 17 settlers,” says Qusay Al-Amour, who was limping for weeks after an attack. “They beat me, my father and my brother Ahmad. Later that night, they returned. They destroyed our shelter, the clinic and the mosque. My father was in critical condition. His heart rate dropped to 35. My brother was unconscious for days. We were surrounded for more than an hour before an ambulance was allowed through.”
“Psychologically, it’s hard,” says Al-Amour. “The settlers come almost every day, even at night. But are we leaving? No. We’re staying. My hope is that one day they will leave – and we can live in peace.”
Children are also exposed to violence, intimidation and militarization at an early age, leading to signs of trauma including nightmares, panic attacks and an inability to concentrate in school.
“Everyone is affected,” says Van Dongen. “The constant threat of violence means people are running through all the scenarios in their heads. What is going to happen when settlers come to their home? If they have a pregnant wife or daughters, will they be able to protect them or will they not be able to do anything? What is going to happen if they were displaced? If their mother has a physical disability, will she even be able to move to a new location?”
How MSF is responding in Hebron
For the last 12 months, most people coming to MSF clinics in Hebron for mental health support were admitted as a result of violent incidents. In June 2025 alone, this was the reason for 94 per cent of the admissions. In Hebron, MSF provides medical and psychological care and is responding to the new emerging needs of people in the Bedouin communities of Masafer Yatta. Mobile clinic teams provide basic healthcare and mental health support to people who are affected by settler attacks, including children, women and older adults. MSF teams also support Palestinians who have been forcibly displaced due to the settler violence and home demolitions.
Access to affected communities, however, remains significantly limited due to the increased security concerns. In addition to the fear of attacks by Israeli settlers, Israeli military checkpoints and the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran have made the security situation even more precarious. Our teams in Hebron report delayed interventions, blocked roads and escalating needs across the West Bank.
“The recent increase in frequency and intensity of attacks by settlers and the Israeli military is part of a policy of forced displacement and annexation that must end,” says Van Dongen. “Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to protect Palestinians. Instead, Israeli forces enable or even join settlers’ attacks against Palestinians. The international community has remained inactive for too long. Now is the time for action to apply real political and economic pressure on Israeli authorities to stop the practices that are deliberately pushing Palestinians out of their lands.”
