Israeli settlers steal tractor from Palestinian village south of Nablus

NAJLUS, West Bank — Israeli settlers stole an agricultural tractor Sunday after infiltrating the outskirts of Usarin village, south of Nablus, Palestinian officials and local witnesses said.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:38 a.m. local time on May 10, 2026. Witnesses described a group of armed settlers entering the village perimeter, bypassing security checkpoints, and removing the machinery from a private farmstead before fleeing the area. The tractor, a key asset for the local farming community, was taken without resistance as settlers reportedly overwhelmed the site.

Local Palestinian authorities condemned the theft as part of a broader pattern of settler violence and property seizures in the region. The village of Usarin, located in the northern West Bank, has experienced frequent tensions with nearby Israeli settlements in recent months. Residents reported that the stolen tractor was essential for the upcoming planting season, raising concerns about the economic impact on the community.

Israeli military police and civil administration officials were notified of the incident shortly after it occurred. A search operation was launched to locate the stolen machinery and apprehend those responsible. However, as of Monday morning, the tractor had not been recovered, and no arrests had been made.

The motive behind the theft remains unclear. While some local leaders suggested the act was intended to intimidate Palestinian farmers and assert control over the area, no official statement has been issued by Israeli authorities regarding the incident. The Israeli government has not commented on the specific event, though it has previously addressed similar cases of settler violence through diplomatic channels.

Palestinian residents of Usarin expressed frustration over the lack of immediate protection from security forces. "They came in, took our equipment, and left. No one stopped them," said a village elder who requested anonymity due to safety concerns. "This is not just about a tractor. It is about our ability to live and work in our land."

The incident adds to growing tensions in the West Bank, where clashes between settlers and Palestinians have increased in frequency. Human rights organizations have documented a rise in settler-led attacks on Palestinian property and infrastructure in recent months, citing inadequate enforcement of security measures by Israeli authorities.

As the search for the stolen tractor continues, the situation remains fluid. Local authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and are coordinating with security forces to prevent further incidents. The outcome of the investigation and the recovery of the machinery are expected to be closely watched by international observers and human rights groups.

For now, the question of who orchestrated the theft and whether it was part of a coordinated effort remains unanswered. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinian communities in the West Bank and the complex security dynamics at play in the region.