The United Nations has released a report warning about the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied West Bank and calling on Israel to put an end to “unlawful killings” and settler violence. The report, published by the UN Human Rights Office, highlights a significant increase in air strikes and military incursions into densely populated refugee camps, resulting in deaths, injuries, and damage to civilian infrastructure. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed deep concern over the use of unnecessary force, broad movement restrictions, and discriminatory practices against Palestinians.
The violence in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem has escalated since Israel’s war on the Gaza Strip began on October 7. According to the report, over 21,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly civilians, have been killed, while 1,200 people were killed in Hamas attacks in southern Israel. In the West Bank, the UN has verified the deaths of at least 300 Palestinians, including 79 children, with the majority killed by Israeli forces. Additionally, nearly 4,800 Palestinians have been arrested since the start of the war.
The report also highlights a sharp rise in settler attacks, including shootings, arson, and destruction of property. UN Human Rights Office representative Ajith Sunghay emphasized the importance of accountability and the role of Israeli officials in inciting violence. Sunghay stated that impunity allows violations to continue and emboldens settlers, giving them a sense of security and permission to commit acts of violence.
The release of the report coincided with one of the largest Israeli incursions in the West Bank since the start of the war. Israeli forces launched coordinated overnight assaults on ten cities, including Ramallah, targeting Palestinian money exchange outlets. Additionally, a Palestinian man was killed near a checkpoint west of Bethlehem. Mustafa Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative party, believes these raids are part of Israel’s attempt to completely reoccupy the West Bank and marginalize the Palestinian Authority.
Barghouti argues that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending a clear message that there is no place for an independent Palestinian authority and aims to provoke an uprising. He also suggests that Netanyahu is prolonging the conflict to avoid facing corruption charges. Meanwhile, UNICEF reported that 2023 has been the deadliest year for children in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, with 124 Palestinian and six Israeli children killed. Adele Khodr, UNICEF’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, expressed concern over increased military and law enforcement operations and the detention of children.
The situation in the occupied West Bank is alarming, with the UN report calling for immediate action to address unlawful killings, settler violence, and the protection of Palestinian communities. The report sheds light on the urgent need for accountability and an end to the cycle of violence in the region. International attention and intervention are crucial to ensure the protection of human rights and the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
