The incident occurred amid a wave of escalation by settlers that began only a few weeks ago and has spread across most parts of the West Bank. This argument becomes more compelling when the escalation is viewed alongside Netanyahu’s broader objective in the West Bank, which he has consistently pursued in recent years. Rogel Alpher, a columnist for Haaretz, links the current escalation in the West Bank to Netanyahu’s political strategy, arguing that it advances his broader project of expanding Israeli control over the West Bank. Settler attacks in the West Bank have witnessed a clear escalation in recent years, particularly since 7 October 2023. These developments in the West Bank coincide with other measures which, taken together, mark a dangerous turning point.