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In recent years, violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has been on the rise. On average, 3 settler-related incidents occurred per day in the first 8 months of 2023, compared to an average of 2 per day in 2022 and 1 per day the previous year.
Since the 7 October attacks, these incidents have surged to an average of 7 per day, marking the highest daily average of settler-related incidents affecting Palestinians since 2006, when the United Nations started recording such data.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), between 7 October 2023 and 29 January 2024, at least 198 Palestinian households - 1,208 people, including 586 children - have been displaced due to settler violence and access restrictions. This includes the displacement of entire Bedouin communities.
In 2023, the European Union supported UNRWA with €1.5 million in humanitarian funding to provide protection services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, including the Bedouin communities at risk of displacement in Area C.
The aid supports UNRWA in advocating for duty bearers to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of Palestinian refugees under international law. Additionally, it allows UNRWA to assist refugee households facing displacement, demolitions, and settler violence, helping them cope more effectively with the harsh circumstances by providing them with cash assistance and other forms of support.