Hebron: Neverending violence by Israeli settlers and military psychologically scars its Palestinian community
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 those living in Hebron’s southern countryside like Masafer Yatta. There, the daily threats of forcible transfer, injury, and as we have seen in recent weeks, possible death is ever present. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) operates mobile clinics in the area but various security concerns, including the escalating settlers’ violence, have severely disrupted 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 our 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 hospitalisation.”
Intensified attacks leave physical and mental health wounds
In recent months, the 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.
“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. And 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 eighteen-year-old 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,” Al-Amour adds. “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 militarisation 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?” says MSF’s Van Dongen.
How MSF is responding in Hebron
For the last 12 months, most new patients 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% 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 health care and mental health support to people who are affected by settler attacks, including children, women and elderly people. 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 because of 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. Field teams report delayed interventions, blocked roads, and escalating needs all across all of 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. Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to protect Palestinians. Instead, Israeli forces enable or even join settlers’ attacks against Palestinians. The international community have 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,” says Frederieke Van Dongen, humanitarian affairs manager, Hebron.
