The United Nations said it was “deeply concerned” by the Israeli military’s use of “illegal lethal force” this week in its raids on Jenin, in the occupied West Bank – including the use of methods developed for fight against wars.
“The deadly Israeli operations in recent days raise serious concerns about the unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including methods and means developed for war fighting, in violation of international human rights law , norms and standards applicable to law enforcement operations,” spokesperson for the UN human rights office Thameen Al-Kheetan told a news conference in Geneva.
“This includes multiple airstrikes and seemingly random shootings of unarmed residents while trying to flee or find safety.”
Israeli forces blocked four main entrances to Jenin City and its refugee camp on Friday as deadly raids on the city entered a fourth day, officials said. Israel says its operation aims to eliminate Palestinian fighters from the city.
By Friday, the death toll in Israeli raids had reached 12. Dozens of Palestinians were also injured and detained, while thousands were forced to flee the city.
Mustafa Barghouti, the head of the Palestinian National Initiative Party, said in a statement that Israel was carrying out “dangerous ethnic cleansing in Jenin, forcing civilians and families to leave their homes on foot amid violent repression and searches.” humiliating”.
He added that “ongoing events confirm the remarks of Israeli army chief Herzi Halevi that the repressive objectives and practices are identical in Gaza and the West Bank which are subject to collective sanctions, checkpoints, arrests and abuses.
Barghouti called for Palestinian national unity to confront “Israeli cleansing and genocide and genocide.”
