Settlers Destroy $1 Million in Stone-Cutting Equipment in Beita

More than 150 Israeli settlers attacked an industrial zone in the Palestinian town of Beita on Monday, setting fire to heavy machinery and vehicles. The assault caused an estimated 3.3 million shekels, or approximately one million US dollars, in financial losses for local stone-cutting workshops. These facilities serve as a primary income source for many residents in the area south of Nablus.

Ashraf Ghazaly, who owns part of the damaged equipment, stated that the group numbered over 150 individuals. He reported that the assailants threw stones at Palestinian workers before entering a workshop to ignite the machines. One excavator, purchased just four days before the incident, was among the destroyed assets. Ghazaly noted that his brother and other workers were physically assaulted during the chaotic scene.

Ziad Ghazaly, another facility owner, explained that the settlers used ladders to reach the quarry yard, which sits 2.5 to three meters below ground level. The fire spread rapidly despite efforts by local residents to extinguish the blaze. He criticized the Israeli army’s response, noting that troops arrived to prevent entry and exit from the area, which hindered firefighting efforts and isolated the site during critical moments.

Abdul Rahman Salameh, a workshop owner, said the attack occurred after most workers had left for the day. Only seven or eight young men, including his sons and cousins, remained on site. Approximately five facilities were affected by the fire. Salameh reported that settler provocations occur two or three times per week, aiming to terrorize owners into leaving so settlers can expand their presence. The community is located in Area B of the West Bank, under Palestinian Authority administrative control.

The industrial zone in Beita employs more than 500 workers, supporting hundreds of households with an average family size of six to eight members. Omar Diriya, chairman of the Union of Stone and Marble Industry in Palestine, said the attacks threaten these livelihoods. He noted that the sector already struggles with closures, checkpoints, and high production costs. Insurance companies typically do not cover damage from war or conflict, compounding the financial impact.

The incident coincides with a sharp rise in settler violence across the West Bank. The United Nations humanitarian affairs office, Ocha, documented 397 attacks resulting in injuries or property damage between October 1 and 26. This figure is the highest monthly count since the agency began keeping records in 2006. The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission recorded 1,369 settler attacks in total during October, an increase of more than 111 percent compared to the previous month.

The Navitar settlement, established on land belonging to Beita, is the origin of the settlers involved in the Monday attack. This event is part of a recurring pattern of violence against the industrial zone, with two previous attacks in recent months involving smashed windows on bulldozers, excavators, and offices. The destruction of machinery continues to impact the construction industry in the northern West Bank.