Armed Israeli settlers, protected by the Israeli army, opened fire on Friday at activists and landowners gathered in the Harasa area of Beit Sahour, north of the Bethlehem, in southern West Bank
The solidarity event was organized by the Combatants for Peace movement alongside local landowners whose properties in the Ush Ghurab and Harasa areas—located north of the Bethlehem Governorate—are threatened with confiscation by settlers. The rally was attended by Christian clergy and members of the Beit Sahour Municipal Council.
Immediately upon the arrival of the activists and landowners, armed settlers opened fire directly toward the crowd and journalists; no injuries were reported. Despite the attack, participants managed to remove Israeli flags from a home that settlers had been attempting to take over. Israeli forces then intervened and forced the Palestinian landowners and activists to leave, while permitting the settlers to remain at the site.
On March 5, 2026, the Israeli army issued a military order establishing a jurisdiction area for the new “Yatsev” settlement outpost, located east of Beit Sahour. This declaration came approximately four months after a group of settlers seized the former military camp area of Ush Ghurab and set up several mobile homes (caravans) to establish a new settlement presence on the ground.
Since the outpost’s establishment, settlers—under military protection—have repeatedly attacked local landowners and prevented them from cultivating or accessing their property. Palestinian community leaders continue to call for an increased presence to support local residents, strengthen their resilience, and help them maintain hold of their land.
