Israeli forces fire tear gas at Palestinian schoolchildren in West Bank
Students protesting blocked access to school, targeted as settlers tighten control in occupied territory
UMM AL-KHAIR, Palestine (MNTV) — Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian schoolchildren in the occupied West Bank after settlers blocked access to their school, in an incident that underscores the escalating pressure on civilian life under occupation.
The settlers’ attack took place in the village of Umm Al-Khair in the Masafer Yatta region, where children had gathered for a sit-in protest demanding safe access to their classrooms.
The demonstration came as students were attempting to return to school for the first time in over 40 days following disruptions caused by Israel’s ongoing wars on the region.
According to witnesses and video footage, Israeli troops launched tear gas canisters at the gathering, forcing children and residents to scatter in panic. The footage shows students screaming and fleeing as gas spread across the area.
The protest began after Israeli settlers erected a barbed wire barrier blocking the road leading to the school, effectively denying students access. In response, children and local residents organized an open-air class near the obstruction as a form of peaceful resistance.
A young student described the moment troops fired tear gas, saying the sudden attack caused fear and chaos among the children. Others recounted how the gathering quickly turned into a scene of distress, with students running for safety.
Local education officials confirmed that the sit-in was aimed at restoring access to education, accusing settlers of deliberately targeting basic rights by restricting movement and expanding their presence in the area.
They warned that such actions are part of a broader pattern of harassment designed to force Palestinian communities out of their land.
Despite clear evidence, the Israeli military avoided confirming the use of tear gas, stating only that it had dispersed what it described as an “unusual gathering.” No injuries were officially reported, although witnesses said the use of force caused widespread fear among children.
The Masafer Yatta region has long been a focal point of settler violence and displacement efforts. Palestinian residents say such incidents have intensified in recent months, with increasing restrictions on movement, property destruction, and attacks on civilians.
The village of Umm Al-Khair itself has previously witnessed deadly violence, including the killing of a Palestinian activist by a settler last year.
More than 500,000 Israeli settlers now live in the occupied West Bank in settlements regarded as illegal under international law, while millions of Palestinians continue to face restrictions under decades of Israeli occupation.
The latest incident highlights the growing impact of these policies on children, as access to education — a fundamental right — becomes increasingly entangled in the realities of military control and settler expansion.
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