MAP escalates emergency medical response as settler killings of Palestinians reach unprecedented levels
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) is urgently scaling up its emergency medical response across the occupied West Bank as a sharp rise in settler violence drives a surge in trauma cases and civilian casualties. The first three months of 2026 have already seen almost as many Palestinians killed in settler attacks than during the whole of 2025.
Since the beginning of 2026, settlers in the West Bank have killed at least seven Palestinians in the West Bank, almost as many as were killed in the whole of 2025. Palestinian communities have reported a huge increase in settler violence, with homes and vehicles set on fire, widespread intimidation, shootings and assaults. This is often emboldened by the Israeli military and serves to forcibly displace Palestinians from their homes. More than 1,500 Palestinians have been displaced since the start of this year due to demolitions and settler attacks.
In response to the increase in violence, MAP has escalated its emergency response by providing emergency care training to community workers and deploying medical supplies to hospitals and urgent care centres, to ensure healthcare workers can respond immediately during spikes in violence. Following an arson attack by settlers on a village health clinic and vehicle in Burqa, east of Ramallah, MAP urgently deployed critical medical supplies to the nearby Palestine Medical Complex.
Aisha Mansour, MAP’s West Bank Director, said, “Our teams and partners are facing a terrifying surge in casualties and injuries that the already heavy burdened health system must respond to. The scale and intensity of settler attacks in recent weeks is deeply alarming and is putting immense pressure on frontline healthcare services. Healthcare workers and civilians must be protected, and there must be accountability for the aggression and attacks we’re witnessing.”
Movement restrictions and checkpoints imposed by Israeli authorities have further limited access to timely medical care, placing even greater pressure on overstretched Palestinian healthcare services.
MAP urges the UK government to intensify its efforts to end Israel’s ongoing violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory and ensure the protection of civilians. The UK must exercise meaningful diplomatic, legal and economic pressure including the suspension of arms transfers – to ensure accountability, uphold their obligations under international law, and bring a definitive end to Israel's illegal occupation.
Notes to editors:
- Since the onset of the recent regional escalation, more than 100 Palestinians have been injured during settler attacks, including about 90 by settlers and the remainder by Israeli forces, averaging approximately seven injuries per day in this context (UN).
- More than 260 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli settlers during settler attack in 2026 (UN).
- This is a threefold increase in the monthly average of Palestinians injured by settlers during settler attacks since 2023 – 105 vs. 30 (UN).
- Since 1 January 2026, more than 1,500 Palestinians from 29 communities have been displaced due to demolitions and settler attacks (UN).
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About Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP):
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) works for a future where every Palestinian has access to a comprehensive, effective and locally-led system of healthcare, and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity. We work in the occupied Palestinian territory and in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
For more information please visit: www.map.org.uk
