Kathmandu— An Israeli man in his 20s was moderately wounded in a stabbing attack on Sunday at a commercial complex near the occupied West Bank village of al-Auja, prompting a widespread search by Israeli forces. The assailant escaped the scene and remains at large as the army established roadblocks and increased security presence in the area. The incident occurs amidst escalating violence between Israelis and Palestinians in the region, including a documented rise in attacks by Israeli settlers.

Stabbing Incident And Manhunt

Israeli police reported that the man sustained moderate injuries in the stabbing at a commercial complex on the main road near al-Auja. The Israeli army confirmed the attack and initiated a large-scale search operation, supported by a substantial police presence, to locate the suspect. Roadblocks were set up in and around the village as part of the effort, with the military stating they are maintaining contact with local residents and security forces.

Escalating Settler Violence

The incident takes place against a backdrop of increasing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023. Data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates a significant rise in settler attacks over the past several years. Between January 1, 2025, and June 31, 2026, OCHA recorded 3,033 such attacks.

Increased Attack Rate

The number of settler attacks has steadily increased: 1,291 in 2023, rising to 1,449 in 2024 and 1,835 in 2025. In the first four months of 2026, 761 attacks were recorded, averaging 190 per month – a 24 percent increase from the monthly rate of 153 in 2025.

Israeli forces continue their search for the assailant while maintaining heightened security measures in the area. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.