Ramallah, Palestinian Territories – The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the recent increase in violence in the West Bank. The UN’s human rights office called on Israeli security forces to halt their support of settler attacks on Palestinians immediately, following the deaths of two Palestinian men in a village south of Nablus at the hands of Israeli settlers.
Tensions have been mounting in the region, with clashes erupting as settlers encroached on Palestinian-owned land, leading to violent confrontations. The latest incident follows the killing of a 14-year-old boy from a settler family, further fueling the escalating violence in the area.
The violence on Monday resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians and injuries to several others, with witnesses and video evidence suggesting the presence of Israeli security forces who reportedly stood by during the attacks. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported encountering obstacles in reaching the wounded due to soldiers blocking their ambulances.
In a statement, the UN’s human rights office highlighted the wave of attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians, often with the support or accompaniment of Israeli security forces. The office urged Israeli authorities to put an end to settler attacks and hold those responsible accountable through a transparent investigation that adheres to international human rights standards.
The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since last year, with hundreds of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces or settlers. The situation prompted the US and UK to impose sanctions on violent settlers involved in displacing Palestinian communities from their lands.
The UK, in particular, identified four Israeli nationals as “extremist settlers” and imposed financial and travel restrictions on them for their involvement in human rights abuses. The UK foreign secretary emphasized the illegality and unacceptability of settler violence, calling on Israel to take stronger action to curb such acts.
The ongoing conflict and violence demonstrate the complexities and challenges faced by both Palestinians and Israelis in the region, raising concerns about the humanitarian crisis and the need for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding conflict.