Will Trump's Hamas deal reduce record settler violence in the West Bank?

US President Donald Trump announces that Hamas has agreed to his proposed peace roadmap for Gaza, with Israel yet to formally respond. While the announcement has renewed hopes for a ceasefire, it does little to address the worsening security situation in the occupied West Bank, where settler violence has already reached record levels this year.

Nasser Khdour, Middle East Assistant Research Manager at ACLED, said:

“The West Bank is experiencing an unprecedented surge in settler-related violence, with 2026 on track to become the most violent year since ACLED began monitoring the territory a decade ago. After reaching a record monthly total of more than 460 settler-related incidents in June, the trend continued into July, with more than 360 incidents recorded between 1 and 24 July.

“The increase is part of a broader upward trend in settler violence that has been developing since 2023 but has accelerated significantly in 2026. Recorded incidents include attacks on Palestinians and their property, land seizures, looting activities, uprooting trees, grazing on Palestinian land, and clashes with Palestinians.

“The escalation was underscored on 24 July, when four Palestinians and two Israelis were killed on the outskirts of Till village in Nablus. The incident reportedly began after Israeli settlers entered areas near the village and clashes broke out with Palestinians. During the confrontation, a Palestinian seized a rifle from a member of a settlement security squad and opened fire, killing two Israelis, including a soldier and a security squad member. Israeli forces then opened fire, killing four Palestinians, including the attacker. On the same day, ACLED recorded 35 settler-related incidents, compared with nearly 10 the previous day. Around 40% took place in Nablus governorate, one of the main hotspots for settler violence alongside Ramallah and Hebron.

“The expansion of settlements and outposts, including farming outposts, has brought settlers closer to Palestinian villages and towns, increasing daily friction between the two sides. At the same time, the growing involvement of armed settlers is becoming increasingly apparent. In July 2026, 11 people were killed in the West Bank in four incidents involving armed settlers alongside Israeli forces. These incidents also demonstrate a growing overlap between settlers and the Israeli security forces. Settlement security squads and settlers serving as IDF reservists are increasingly present during confrontations, making the distinction between armed settlers and formal security forces less clear.

“Calls from pro-settler government figures to annex the West Bank, alongside continued settler attacks, including on mosques, are likely to fuel further violence ahead of the Israeli national elections.”