The number of serious incidents of “nationalistic crime” committed by extremist Jewish settlers in the West Bank surged by 63 percent during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year, the Kan public broadcaster reported Monday, citing security establishment figures.

Such offenses are classified by Israeli security bodies as terrorism.

According to the report, 660 settler attacks were recorded in the first six months of 2026, up from 405 during the same period in 2025.

Attacks targeting Israeli security forces also rose by 50%, with 45 such incidents recorded in the first half of 2026.

Palestinian casualties from settler violence climbed sharply as well, with 140 Palestinians wounded and six killed during the first half of the year, compared with 82 wounded and none killed during the same period last year.

The figures did not include July, when roughly 100 additional incidents of nationalist crime were recorded, according to Kan, apparently continuing the upward trend.

Settler violence has been on the rise in recent years, particularly following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, onslaught on southern Israel.

The number of attacks by settlers against Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the West Bank rose by 27% in 2025 compared to 2024, according to data........

© The Times of Israel