The New York Times reported testimonies from Palestinians in the West Bank stating that the Israeli occupation forces have begun to use similar tactics in their attacks there as they carry out in the Gaza Strip, including devastating aerial bombardment and the use of Palestinians as human shields.
Before the war on Gaza, Israeli air strikes were rare in the West Bank, according to experts. However, during the operations carried out by the occupation army in Jenin, in the northern West Bank, and other areas, since last August, reports counted approximately 50 air strikes.
More than 180 people were martyred in air strikes on the West Bank over the course of a year, including dozens of children, according to what was documented by the United Nations and the Palestinian Al-Haq Foundation.
The Israeli raids left widespread damage to roads, electricity, water and sewage networks. Humanitarian workers from local and international organizations and the United Nations also reported that Israel obstructed relief efforts.
Residents, humanitarian workers, and some experts no longer describe Israeli army operations as attacks, but rather liken them to war.
“The invasion of the West Bank”
Nadav Wyman, director of the Breaking the Silence organization, which consists of former Israeli soldiers who reject the practices of the occupation, and who collected testimonies of soldiers who participated in attacks in Jenin and Tulkarm, said that what is happening is “the invasion of the northern part of the West Bank.”
The New York Times quoted testimonies stating that the occupation forces are forcing Palestinians to leave the targeted areas with massive force.
Testimonies were also reported about the occupation army’s use of Palestinians as human shields during its operations in the West Bank.
The story of Nasser Al-Damj
Among them is the Palestinian Nasser al-Damj, who told the newspaper how the occupation soldiers took him and used him as a human shield during their operations in Jenin.
After bombing a mosque, the occupation soldiers ordered Al-Damj to walk towards the place to explore what they later described as an underground combat site.
The soldiers forced him to descend from an opening leading to an ancient cave, and he then realized that they were using him as a human shield.
He said that he objected, but the three soldiers and their commander forced him – while drawing their weapons – to get down, and the commander handed him a drone to take with him, warning him: “Be careful. Do not break it, it is expensive.”
Human rights organizations have warned that the Israeli occupation is copying such dangerous practices that it uses in Gaza and transferring them to the West Bank.
UN officials said that Israel is implementing “deadly tactics” similar to war tactics in the West Bank.
UN officials tried to enter Jenin to conduct a field assessment, but the Israeli authorities prevented them, according to what UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said last September.