Escalation of Violence in the West Bank
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has significantly intensified its operations in the West Bank, conducting raids on various villages and towns. Recently, the Israeli army stormed the village of Baqa al-Hatab, located east of Qalqilya, as well as the villages of Burin and Iraq Burin, south of Nablus. Reports indicate that during these operations, the army deployed sound bombs and toxic tear gas, although no injuries have been reported.
In addition to military actions, Israeli settlers have been involved in violent incidents against Palestinians. For instance, settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling between Ramallah and Nablus, resulting in injuries to a resident from Salfit who required hospitalization. Eyewitness accounts also noted that settlers gathered at an intersection near Al-Fawar camp and the town of Dura, performing rituals amid ongoing restrictions on movement imposed by Israeli forces.
Humanitarian Crisis Amid Ongoing Conflict
The escalation of violence in the West Bank coincides with Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have been described as genocidal by various Palestinian institutions. Since October 7, over 151,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed or injured in Gaza, with many casualties being women and children. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated significantly, with widespread destruction and famine affecting the population, leading to numerous deaths among vulnerable groups.
The ongoing conflict has also resulted in a staggering number of casualties in the West Bank, with official Palestinian reports indicating that at least 812 Palestinians have died and around 6,500 have been injured since the onset of the current violence. The situation has raised alarms among human rights organizations and prompted calls for accountability.
International Response and Accountability
Despite the ongoing violence, Israel continues its military operations in the West Bank and Gaza, disregarding international calls for restraint. On November 21, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians. However, these warrants have yet to result in any significant change in Israeli policy or military strategy.
The situation remains dire for Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza, with the international community closely monitoring developments as calls for justice and humanitarian aid grow louder.