Israeli Police Shoot Dead Palestinian in Jerusalem Amid Escalating Settler Violence and Blockades in the West Bank

Israeli police have shot and killed a Palestinian man in Jerusalem, while the Israeli army blocked humanitarian aid from reaching an occupied West Bank village that has faced weeks of settler blockades. Officers opened fire on a 33-year-old Palestinian near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem on Friday, claiming he attempted to stab an officer. The Palestinian Wafa news agency identified the man as Ibrahim al-Hendi from the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Beit Hanina, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Following the incident, Israeli forces deployed heavily around Damascus Gate and the Old City, according to Palestinian sources.

In a separate development, the Israeli army reported arresting Palestinians in Qabatiya in the West Bank over alleged plans to attack Israelis and security forces. Ten additional individuals were detained during a 48-hour military operation in Nablus, during which the army claimed to have seized over 30 weapon production machines. Meanwhile, Wafa reported that Israeli settlers and soldiers carried out multiple attacks across the occupied West Bank, including assaults on residents in the Khirbet al-Hamra community in the northern Jordan Valley and Khalet a-Nahlah in southern Bethlehem, where forces met a gathering crowd with tear gas and concussion grenades.

In Qusra, the Israeli army prevented roughly 100 peace activists from delivering essential food and medicine to families enduring a 28-day siege. Since August 9, Israeli settlers have blocked three homes in the village, and the army has restricted access under the designation of a “closed military zone.” The Israeli Peace Now movement and Qusra Mayor Abdel Azim Wadi both highlighted the ongoing blockade affecting families trapped on Mount Ras al-Ain. Amid these events, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated during an interview with Kan that settler violence harms Israel's international image. Palestinian figures note that approximately 750,000 Israeli settlers currently reside across numerous settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.