The United Nations has called on Israel to end “unlawful killings” and settler violence in the occupied West Bank, warning of a rapid deterioration in the human rights situation as Israeli raids intensify.
In a report released Thursday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights detailed a “sharp increase” in airstrikes and military incursions into densely populated refugee camps, leading to deaths, injuries and damage. considerable damage to civilian infrastructure in the occupied territory.
“The use of military tactics and weapons in law enforcement contexts, the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force, and the application of broad, arbitrary and discriminatory movement restrictions that affect Palestinians are extremely troubling” , said the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk. in a report.
Violence in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem has erupted since Israel’s war against the Gaza Strip began on October 7. More than 21,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, mostly civilians, after around 1,200 people were killed in Hamas attacks in southern Israel. .
Since then, the UN has verified the deaths of at least 300 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 79 children, according to the report. Of these, 291 were killed by Israeli forces, eight by settlers and one by soldiers or settlers.
Nearly 4,800 Palestinians have been arrested since the start of the war in Gaza.
Since October 7, the UN has documented a “sharp increase in settler attacks,” including “shootings, burning of homes and vehicles, and the uprooting of trees.”
“I call on Israel to take immediate, clear and effective measures to end settler violence against the Palestinian population, to investigate all incidents of violence committed by settlers and Israeli security forces, to provide protection effectiveness of Palestinian communities against any form of aggression. transfer,” Turk said.
“The dehumanization of Palestinians that characterizes many settler actions is very worrying and must stop immediately,” he adds.
Ajith Sunghay, head of the United Nations human rights office in the occupied Palestinian territories, told Tel Aviv Tribune that the lack of accountability – and in some cases incitement by Israeli officials – has led to an increase in settler violence and violence committed by Israeli forces. in the West Bank.
“I think it is extremely important to emphasize this: where there is impunity, violations will continue to occur,” Sunghay said.
“These statements (from Israeli officials) embolden the settlers, give them a feeling of security. It gives them a certain kind of permission to do whatever they want,” he added.
#UN report: Türk warns of rapid deterioration of human rights situation in West Bank and calls for end to violence.
Read the report here 👉 https://t.co/BGZChZobZg#OPT #West Bank #Jerusalem #ENDViolence
– UN Human Rights OPT (@OHCHR_Palestine) December 28, 2023
Unprecedented incursions
The report was released as Israeli forces began one of the largest incursions into the West Bank since the start of the war, launching a coordinated nighttime attack on 10 cities, including Ramallah, the administrative headquarters of the Palestinian Authority.
The raids, which continued until Thursday morning, targeted Palestinian exchange offices.
A Palestinian was also killed Thursday by Israeli forces near a checkpoint west of the city of Bethlehem.
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative party, believes that the increasing raids in the West Bank are an attempt by Israel to “completely” reoccupy the territory.
“They are marginalizing the Palestinian Authority, depriving it of all its authorities,” Barghouti told Tel Aviv Tribune.
“There is no security control from the PA because the Israeli army is invading all the towns, all of Area A which was supposed to be under the PA,” he said .
“This is a clear message from (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu. He says there is no longer room for an independent Palestinian authority here. He is reoccupying the West Bank just as he is trying to reoccupy Gaza.”
Barghouti added that despite Israeli claims that its raids are aimed at combating “terrorism,” the real goal is to “provoke an Intifada (uprising).”
“Netanyahu knows very well that if he leaves his post as prime minister, he will go to prison,” he said, referring to the corruption charges for which the Israeli leader is currently on trial. “This man wants to prolong the war in Gaza, expand it, continue it as long as possible. »
The deadliest year for children
Also on Thursday, UNICEF said 2023 had been the deadliest year for children in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, with 124 Palestinian children and six Israeli children killed since the start of the year.
“At least 83 children have been killed in the past 12 weeks, more than double the number killed in all of 2022, amid increased military and police operations,” said Adele Khodr , UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. in a report.
“More than 576 people were injured and others were reportedly arrested.”
