Israeli settlers kill Palestinian American in West Bank arson attack

Israeli settlers stepped up their attacks in the occupied West Bank early on Thursday, killing a Palestinian-American man during an arson assault in the town of Silwad, northeast of Ramallah.

Khamis Abdul Latif Ayyad, who was visiting from the United States, died from smoke inhalation while attempting to put out a fire set by settlers outside his family’s home. Silwad's mayor, Raed Hamed, told The New Arab's Arabic language edition that at least seven vehicles were set ablaze around 2:00 am local time, sparking a fire that threatened nearby homes.

Ayyad had been awake and rushed to stop the flames from spreading but collapsed after inhaling thick smoke. He was later declared dead. He is survived by his wife and three children.

The town of Silwad observed a general strike on Thursday in mourning. Israeli forces stormed the area shortly after the incident, leading to confrontations with local residents.

In separate attacks, settlers targeted the nearby villages of Rammun and Abu Falah, torching cars and defacing homes with racist graffiti before fleeing, according to local sources. Israeli troops also raided the Askar refugee camp near Nablus later in the morning.

The killing comes amid a wave of settler and military violence across the West Bank since the start of Israel's war on Gaza in October 2023. Attacks have intensified further since January, when the Israeli army launched a broad offensive across the northern West Bank.

Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 7,000 wounded in Israeli raids since 2023, according to local sources.

Silwad mayor Raed Hamed said the rise in attacks around Ramallah is part of an Israeli effort to force Palestinians from their homes and seize control of more land.

Earlier this month, Israel’s parliament passed a symbolic resolution in favour of annexing the West Bank, which, along with East Jerusalem, has remained under Israeli occupation since the 1967 war.

Hardline Israeli officials continue to call for full annexation and expansion of settlements, in clear violation of international law.

On Wednesday night, settlers began expanding an illegal outpost on land belonging to the village of Deir Nizam, northwest of Ramallah.

Meanwhile, several Western nations, including France, the UK, and Canada, have announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state this year - a move condemned by Israel and its main ally, the US.