Settler violence and E1 plan escalate West Bank tensions

Violence in the occupied West Bank has escalated sharply, with Israeli settlers killing a Palestinian teenager and the government advancing a controversial settlement project that critics say would make a two-state solution impossible. At least 87 Palestinians have been killed in nearly 1,500 attacks by settlers and soldiers this year, according to Palestinian officials Source: AP News.

Settler attacks

A 17-year-old Palestinian, Karim Sanad Raja Shalaldeh, was shot dead by Israeli settlers on Friday after a rock-throwing incident near Hebron Source: AP News. The Israeli military said soldiers were dispatched after Palestinians threw rocks at Israelis in the area without authorization Source: AP News. In a separate incident, a 58-year-old Palestinian man was fatally shot in Jenin; the military said he attempted to stab a soldier Source: Ground News.

Settler violence is increasingly occurring in Areas A and B, which are under Palestinian Authority control. According to a Yesh Din report, 55% of violent incidents this year have taken place in Area B, up from 25% last year Source: The Guardian. Jewish activists have begun providing a 'protective presence' in some villages to deter attacks Source: Al Jazeera.

E1 settlement plan

Israel's Housing Ministry issued a tender for over 1,200 housing units in the E1 area between East Jerusalem and Maale Adumim Source: CNN. The project, approved last year, would split the West Bank and block a contiguous Palestinian state Source: BBC. The deadline for bids is 19 October, just before Israel's election on 27 October Source: Euronews.

Seven countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, condemned the plan Source: Euronews. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband called it an 'unacceptable and destructive act' Source: CNN. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar rejected the criticism, saying 'The Jewish people have the right to live throughout the Land of Israel' Source: Euronews.

What's next

Turkey is seeking an international arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla Source: AP News. The UN has called for protection of Palestinians and accountability for perpetrators Source: Al Jazeera.