DaysofPal- The Palestinian village of Duma, located south of Nablus, has become the epicenter of escalating settler violence, with residents facing a relentless campaign of intimidation and destruction aimed at forcing them from their ancestral lands.
In a recent attack that underscores the severity of the situation, approximately 300 Israeli settlers, reportedly under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, stormed the village, leaving three residents injured and significant property damage in their wake.
The attack, which occurred on the evening of the day before yesterday, saw settlers targeting homes, farms, and vehicles with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and arson. According to Suleiman Dawabsheh, head of the Duma village council, the settlers unleashed a wave of terror on the western side of the village, injuring a 35-year-old man who was shot in the foot, a 45-year-old man struck by live bullet shrapnel in the eye and hand, and a 17-year-old boy hit by a rubber bullet in the eye.
Two livestock farms and three vehicles were also set ablaze during the assault.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, as villagers attempted to defend their homes against the onslaught. Despite their efforts, the attack left the community shaken, with many fearing further violence in the days to come.
A Pattern of Systematic Displacement
This latest incident is not an isolated event, but rather part of a broader, systematic campaign to displace Palestinians from their land. Jamal Jumaa, head of the Popular Committee Against Settlements, described the attacks as a deliberate effort to alter the demographic character of the region and connect illegal settlements built on Palestinian territory.
“These crimes are not new,” Jumaa told Palestine Online. “Duma witnessed one of the most horrific acts of settler violence years ago when the Dawabsheh family home was torched, killing three family members, including an infant. Today, history repeats itself as settlers target people and property in an attempt to empty the village of its residents.”
Jumaa condemned the complicity of Israeli occupation forces, accusing them of providing full cover to settlers during their violent raids. He emphasized that these attacks are carried out with impunity, emboldened by the lack of accountability and the tacit support of high-ranking officials, including Israel’s Minister of Defense, who commented on the settlers’ attacks as not being terrorist acts.
Residents’ Resolve Amidst Fear
Despite the pervasive fear and trauma inflicted upon them, the people of Duma remain steadfast in their determination to stay on their land. However, their resilience is being tested daily by the unrelenting attacks by Israeli settlers.
Ghassan Daghlas, the official responsible for the settlement file in the northern West Bank, highlighted the urgent need for protection and solidarity.
“The responsibility lies with both local authorities and the international community,” Daghlas stated. “We must provide a popular incubator from neighboring villages to shield Duma and ensure the safety of its residents. No village should face such atrocities alone.”
Daghlas called on the Palestinian Authority to escalate diplomatic efforts and expose these crimes to global forums. Documenting and presenting evidence of these violations, he argued, is crucial to holding perpetrators accountable and preventing future attacks.
Calls for Global Action
Human rights organizations have echoed these sentiments, urging the international community to intervene urgently. They warn that without immediate action, the systematic displacement of Palestinians will continue unchecked, enabling the expansionist policies of Israeli settlers backed by state forces.
“The world cannot remain silent while settlers commit acts of terrorism under the guise of legality,” said one activist. “These crimes demand more than condemnation—they require tangible measures, including sanctions against those involved and pressure on Israeli occupation to cease its support for settler violence.”
As the sun sets over Duma, its residents brace themselves for another night of uncertainty. For now, their only defense is their unity and resolve, but they know that time is running out. Without meaningful intervention, the dream of preserving their homeland may slip through their fingers, replaced by the nightmare of forced exile.
For the people of Duma, the struggle is not just about survival—it’s about justice, dignity, and the right to exist on their land.
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