MSF West Bank: Settler attack in Masafer Yatta, interview with community member
On 9 November, Palestinians were injured, including two who were hospitalised, after Israeli settlers attacked villagers of Umm al Kheir, West Bank, Palestine. An MSF team provided psychological first aid to the community following the attack.
MSF teams responded following a settler attack at the village of Umm Al Kheir in Masafer Yatta, Southern Hebron, assessing the needs of the community and providing psychological first aid. Settler attacks have been increasing in the West Bank recently. In October 2025, which coincides with the olive harvest, OCHA documented 264 Israeli settler attacks resulting in casualties, property damage or both across the West Bank, marking the highest monthly total since OCHA began recording such incidents in 2006.
In Masafer Yatta, Hebron, MSF teams provide a rapid response intervention system following settler attacks and teams of mental health staff and social workers respond to assess the needs of communities and deliver psychological first aid. During the response on Sunday in Umm al Kheir, we spoke to a community member who was hospitalised after a blow to the head from a settler.
Residents of Umm al Kheir were trying to protect their olive trees from Israeli settlers who illegally entered the area. Many were attacked, including a 60-year-old man and Ahmad Sheeb Al Hathaleen who were both hospitalised.
“I was assaulted by the settler; he hit me on the head with a stick. I nearly lost consciousness; I was taken and transferred to the hospital”, says Ahmad Sheeb Al Hathaleen
Umm al Kheir is at imminent risk of forced displacement after mass demolition orders from Israel civil administration. MSF calls on Israel to end all coercive measures aimed towards annexation including, but not limited to, settler violence, often carried out under army protection, and home demolitions