# Israeli Settlers Occupy Eight Palestinian Homes Near Jericho Armed settlers seized empty residential properties in al-Duyuk al-Tahta village on Wednesday. - **Source:** [Middle East Eye](https://www.middleeasteye.net) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f5148cae-7691-4fb2-86d6-43cdb8282f40 ## Settlers Seize Residential Properties On Wednesday, Israeli settlers forcibly entered eight Palestinian homes located in the village of al-Duyuk al-Tahta, situated west of Jericho. According to reports from Wafa, the settlers arrived with their families and proceeded to smash the doors of the properties. These homes were reportedly empty at the time of the raid. ## Military Presence in Jericho Following the settler action, Israeli military forces conducted operations in Jericho and its surrounding refugee camps on Wednesday evening. Soldiers deployed various military vehicles across the city streets to maintain control. This tactical movement coincided with the ongoing occupation of the residential homes by the settler families who remained inside the properties. ## Raids in Tulkarm Region Simultaneous security operations occurred in Tulkarm, another area within the occupied West Bank. Israeli soldiers raided the vicinity of the Thabet Thabet Governmental Hospital, creating tension near critical medical infrastructure. These actions reflect a broader pattern of military activity occurring across multiple Palestinian territories throughout the same day of the reported seizures. ## Targeting Local Political Leadership During the Tulkarm operation, Israeli forces specifically targeted the residence of Mohammed Ibrahim Shahada. Shahada serves as the secretary of the Fatah movement within the Tulkarm refugee camp. Soldiers ransacked his private home during the raid, marking a direct intervention against local political figures amidst the heightened security environment in the region. ## Context of West Bank Tensions The West Bank remains a focal point of intense territorial disputes and frequent military incursions. The seizure of civilian homes by settlers often exacerbates existing communal friction and complicates international efforts to maintain stability. Such incidents are frequently documented by local news agencies like Wafa, highlighting the ongoing volatility in these occupied territories. ## Impact on Palestinian Communities The sudden occupation of eight homes in al-Duyuk al-Tahta disrupts the lives of local Palestinian families who own these properties. By smashing doors and establishing a presence, settlers effectively displace residents and assert control over private land. This tactic creates significant uncertainty for villagers who fear further encroachment on their remaining residential areas. ## Military and Settler Coordination The timing of the settler raid alongside the deployment of military vehicles suggests a coordinated atmosphere of pressure on Palestinian populations. While settlers physically occupied the homes, the military presence in Jericho and Tulkarm provided a security umbrella for these actions. This dual approach limits the ability of local residents to resist the seizures. ## Broader Regional Security Implications These events underscore the fragile security landscape in the West Bank, where civilian property rights are frequently challenged by settler expansionism. The combination of home seizures and targeted military raids on political figures indicates a hardening of the situation on the ground. Observers remain concerned about the potential for further escalation in these areas. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-settlers-seize-eight-homes-occupied-west-bank-village-west — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._