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UN flags West Bank surge
The UN warned that violence and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank are worsening despite a landmark International Court of Justice ruling two years ago declaring Israel's presence unlawful and calling for it to end as rapidly as possible.
“since last Thursday, eight Palestinians, including a child, and two members of the Israeli military have been killed”
The UN said that since last Thursday, eight Palestinians, including a child, and two members of the Israeli military have been killed in the occupied West Bank, and it reported attacks on Palestinian communities that included assaults on families, destruction and confiscation of property, and the burning of mosques.
The UN also said movement restrictions have become even tighter, limiting Palestinians' ability to reach hospitals, schools, workplaces and other essential services.
The UN voiced alarm over the Israeli Government's announcement that it intends to further increase the number of settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank, and it expressed concern over statements by some Israeli political leaders calling for revenge and collective punishment and suggesting the West Bank could face conditions similar to those seen in Gaza.
Shamdasani and Alakbarov speak
Ravina Shamdasani, the UN human rights office spokeswoman, said the situation is deteriorating as attacks by Israeli settlers and the creation of outposts are “hitting an all-time high,” warning that countries must act urgently and in unison to halt the continuing killing and dispossession of the Palestinian people.
Shamdasani said she was “alarm[ed] by the Israeli government’s announcement to further increase the number of settlements and outposts” and by “open calls by Israeli leaders for revenge and collective punishment against Palestinian communities.”
The UN’s deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Ramiz Alakbarov, warned the UN Security Council on Tuesday that the situation in the occupied West Bank was “rapidly deteriorating.”
In the UN’s framing, the violence has intensified alongside settlement activity and tighter movement restrictions, with the UN warning that these developments are increasing pressure on Palestinian communities and contributing to further displacement.
What’s at stake next
The UN warned that settlement activity and attacks by Israeli settlers have reached their highest recorded levels, increasing pressure on Palestinian communities and contributing to further displacement.
“The United Nations urged countries around the world to act together to halt the continuing violence”
The UN urged countries around the world to act together to halt continuing violence, prevent further displacement of Palestinians and support efforts to end the Israeli occupation in line with international law, stressing that coordinated international action is needed to address the growing humanitarian crisis and protect civilians.
UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said the UN was alarmed by threats to turn the West Bank into another Gaza, and she urged third states to “act urgently and in unison to halt the continuing killing and dispossession of the Palestinian people, and to bring an end to the Israeli occupation.”
The UN’s warning also tied the escalation to the ICJ’s July 2024 advisory opinion that Israel’s occupation is “illegal,” with the UN saying conditions have deteriorated despite that ruling.
