Kathmandu— On July 19, Ruqayya Rabe’i, three months pregnant and living in the West Bank village of At-Tuwani, was targeted by a mob of Israeli settlers who invaded her home. The attack left Rabe'i traumatized and resulted in the loss of her unborn child. This incident highlights the ongoing violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers, which has intensified since October 2023.

The Attack on At-Tuwani

At around midnight, a mob of nearly forty settlers from an illegal outpost named Havat Ma’on descended upon the village. They shattered windows, set fires, and vandalized homes with Hebrew graffiti. Rabe'i was in her room when stones began hitting her home. She found her son Usayd asleep under a window where armed settlers were trying to force their way in. Fearing for his life, she fled as the attackers poured chemicals through the shattered glass, setting the frame ablaze.

Impunity and State Support

Havat Ma’on is one of over five hundred illegal settlements across the West Bank. Settlers face little legal accountability for their crimes against Palestinians; according to a study by Israeli rights group Yesh Din, 93.6 percent of police investigations into settler violence are closed without charge. The Israeli government has also relaxed gun permit laws, allowing hundreds of thousands of settlers to arm themselves.

Rising Violence and Its Impact

Settler attacks have risen by 130 percent since 2023, with over 1,330 documented incidents in the first seven months of 2026. The UN estimates that 56 percent of Palestinian injuries in the West Bank this year are due to settler violence. In At-Tuwani, residents like Mohammad Hurani face constant threats and intimidation, living under a state of permanent vigilance.

The Aftermath for Ruqayya Rabe'i

Following the attack, Rabe'i was transferred to Yatta Public Hospital but discharged after an hour without treatment due to severe strain on public hospitals. She later learned that her fetus had died. The trauma and fear of future attacks continue to haunt her and her family.

(With inputs from Jacobin)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.