Settler and Military Gunfire Hits al-Mughayyir School, Killing Two

On Tuesday, 22 April 2026, ten Israeli settlers entered al-Mughayyir, a West Bank village northeast of Ramallah, and opened fire on the boys’ school, killing 14-year-old student Aws al-Naasan and 32-year-old parent Jihad Abu Naim and wounding others.

The attack follows a UN-reported surge in West Bank settler assaults, with over 200 incidents in March and six attacks per day. Recent weeks saw a school bulldozed in Hammamat al-Maleh, razor-wire barriers near Umm al-Khair, and eight outposts encircling al-Mughayyir.

The Guardian

Victims were Aws al-Naasan and Jihad Abu Naim. Officials include Mayor Amin Abu Alia, council head Amin Abu Ulaya, and resident Kathem al-Haj Ahmed. Principal Bassam Abu-Assaf led the response. The IDF reservist unit is under investigation; activist groups such as the Jordan Valley network and community leader Khaleel Alhathaleen condemned the incident.

The attack left two dead and three to four injured, according to the Palestinian health ministry (three wounded) and CNN (four injured). Video shows at least eight rounds fired by a settler in military-style clothing.

Video shows a man in fatigues firing at the school. Kathem al-Haj Ahmed said the school was “surprised by herds of settlers, who attacked the school along with the army,” while principal Abu-Assaf called the scene “a disaster” with “everybody screaming.”

CNN

The IDF said its troops opened fire after rocks were thrown at a civilian convoy, saying they acted to disperse a confrontation. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the incident a terrorist attack and massacre by settler gangs in coordination with the Israeli army. Some Israeli officials labeled the perpetrators “Jewish rioters.”

Human-rights groups accuse the Israeli army of enabling settlers to act with impunity. Yesh Din notes a rise in lethal attacks by “settler-soldiers” from reserve battalions, and Jordan Valley network warns the Hammamat school demolition violates Palestinian children’s right to education.

Palestinian health officials attribute the killings to settler gunfire, while the Israeli military says soldiers fired after rock-throwing. Injury figures differ (three versus four). No arrests have been announced, and the reservist’s identity remains undisclosed.

• “This is our reality in al-Mughayyer village; they aim to displace us, and both the army and the settlers are exchanging roles among them,” — Kathem al-Haj Ahmed, 57, al-Mughayyir resident

The Guardian

• “It was a disaster. Everybody was screaming. It was unbelievable. I’m still processing it. I don’t know how long it will take for the teachers and students to overcome the shock,” — Bassam Abu-Assaf, principal of al-Mughayyir school

CNN

• “The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned what it called the "terrorist attack and massacre carried out by settler gangs, in full co-ordination with the Israeli occupation army".” — Palestinian Foreign Ministry statement

• “exited the vehicle and opened fire at suspects in the area.” — Israeli military spokesperson

CNN

The IDF opened a criminal probe, suspended the reservist, and activists plan protests against further settler incursions.