Israeli military forces have utilized tear gas against Palestinian schoolchildren who were participating in a sit-in protest in the occupied West Bank. This demonstration occurred after settlers obstructed access to their school.
According to the Israeli military, troops intervened to disperse what they described as an “unusual gathering,” though they did not clarify whether tear gas was specifically directed at the children. This incident coincided with the first day of class following the commencement of hostilities related to the conflict with Iran.
The event unfolded in Umm al-Khair, a small village located within the southern West Bank area known as Masafer Yatta.
Students were set to return to their classrooms on Monday for the first time in over 40 days, as educational activities had been suspended due to the Israeli-U.S. military actions against Iran that began on February 28.
A group of children and local residents gathered near a barbed wire barricade placed by Israeli settlers, which hindered access to the school.
While participating in an open-air class as part of their sit-in to demand school access, the military reportedly fired tear gas, according to eyewitness accounts.
“We were sitting there when they launched a grenade [tear gas canister] at us. I was terrified, started screaming, and ran away,” recounted 12-year-old Sarah al-Hathaleen. “I began to cry. A woman embraced me and remained by my side. We were very frightened.”
Bassam Jabr, who oversees education in the Masafer Yatta area, confirmed that the students were indeed holding a sit-in at the time of the military action.
“Settlers are attempting to tighten their grip on us in every possible way. One tactic is to block the road for schoolchildren while expanding their settlement,” Jabr stated, referring to settlers from the nearby Carmel settlement who had constructed the fence.
“Unfortunately, there seem to be no solutions. We will persist with our sit-in today and tomorrow until we find a resolution allowing students to return to their schools.”
The Israeli military confirmed that troops had been sent to the location. “IDF soldiers were dispatched to the Umm al-Khair area due to reports of an unusual assembly of Palestinians,” the military reported. “The gathering was dispersed, and no injuries were recorded.”
Footage from Agence France-Presse captured images of tear gas canisters being deployed, with children seen fleeing in panic.
“Last night we were thrilled about returning to school today. The Israelis came and blocked the road with barbed wire… we just want to be back in school,” expressed 11-year-old Rashid al-Hathaleen.
The Masafer Yatta region is recognized as a hotspot for violence involving settlers and the demolition of Palestinian homes.
It was in Umm al-Khair that Palestinian activist Awdah Hathaleen was tragically killed by a settler in August 2025.
Since the onset of the conflict over Iran, incidents of settler violence have escalated across the West Bank. Excluding East Jerusalem, over 500,000 Israelis currently reside in settlements deemed illegal under international law, amidst approximately 3 million Palestinians.
The West Bank has been under Israeli occupation since 1967.
