A 19-year-old Palestinian American, Nasrallah Mohammed Jamal Abu Siam, was shot and killed by an Israeli settler during a confrontation in the West Bank village of Mukhmas near Ramallah on February 18-19, 2026. Witnesses report settlers entered the area targeting a farmer and sheep, leading to gunfire that wounded Abu Siam and at least four others; he died from his injuries, with Palestinian officials and the U.S. embassy confirming details.
This incident occurs amid rising tensions, including reports of settler violence affecting Palestinian Christians in the West Bank.
Palestinian Christian Challenges
Settler attacks have intensified in Christian areas like Birzeit, Taybeh—the last all-Christian Palestinian village—Ein Arik, al-Makhrour, and Ash Ghurab, involving assaults, arson, and land seizures. In January 2026, settlers injured an elderly Christian woman in Birzeit; Israeli military arrested defending Palestinians.
“Price tag” vandalism against churches rose 150% annually since 2008, with 111 anti-Christian incidents in 2024, including 46 assaults.
Over 4,700 settler attacks hit Palestinians in 2025; UN data shows peak displacement of nearly 700 in January 2026, contributing to the decline of the West Bank’s ~45,000 Christians.
