Armed Israeli settlers have stolen around 1,500 sheep and goats from a Bedouin community near Ein al-Auja in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian witnesses. The incident, which took place on Friday evening, began when settlers drove some of their own sheep into the Bedouin village, accusing the residents of theft before calling the police.  

Under the watch of Israeli forces, the settlers entered homes and forcibly removed hundreds of animals from enclosures. “This was the largest incident we’ve ever seen,” said one villager, who lost 70 sheep. Another Palestinian stated that such attacks aim to displace Bedouin families, stripping them of their primary livelihood.  

The Israeli human rights group “Looking the Occupation in the Eye” documented the event. Volunteer Gili Avidor described masked settlers arriving in vehicles and stealing the animals under the gaze of authorities.  

This theft is part of a broader pattern of settler violence against Bedouin communities. In February 2024, a similar incident occurred in Ein al-Auja, where settlers also seized livestock. Extremist settlers have increasingly targeted the Jordan Valley, a strategic area where Palestinian Bedouins rely heavily on herding for survival.  

Over 700,000 Israeli settlers now live in more than 230 settlements across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, built in violation of international law. The UN Security Council has repeatedly condemned these settlements as a major obstacle to peace, while Palestinian communities continue to face displacement and economic devastation.