Israeli settlers have fenced off large areas of grazing land east of the city of Tubas in the occupied West Bank, further tightening pressure on Palestinian rural communities already facing escalating violence. Palestinian sources reported that a group of settlers entered land near the village of Aqaba on Monday evening and began enclosing dozens of dunams traditionally used for livestock grazing.

The move follows the recent displacement of several Palestinian families from the same area. According to local accounts, six families living near the village were forced to abandon their homes after repeated attacks by settlers over recent days. Residents say the growing presence of armed settlers and continued intimidation have made it impossible for families to remain safely in their homes or maintain their agricultural livelihoods.

The incident comes amid a sharp rise in violence across the West Bank during the ongoing genocidal war. Data released by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission indicates that nearly 2,000 attacks by Israeli forces and settlers were recorded in February alone across various Palestinian communities. Many of these incidents have targeted farmland, homes and infrastructure, further destabilising rural areas.

Tensions have intensified further after Israel’s security cabinet approved new measures concerning land administration in the occupied territory. Palestinian officials warn that these policies could accelerate the formal annexation of large areas of the West Bank by expanding settlement control and altering land registration systems, a development that residents fear will lead to further displacement and loss of Palestinian land.