Amid Global Attention on Gaza, Escalating Violence Aggravates Situation in the Occupied West Bank

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While international focus remains largely on the conflict in Gaza, the occupied West Bank has experienced heightened tensions, manifesting in escalating violence that has led to the deaths of 55 Palestinians over the last seven days. During this period, these individuals lost their lives in confrontations with Israeli soldiers, arrest operations, and assaults by Jewish settlers. According to United Nations monitors, this has been the most lethal week for Palestinians in the West Bank since at least the year 2005.

In the aftermath of Hamas’ large-scale assault on southern Israel, which resulted in over 1,300 fatalities and approximately 150 captives, Israeli military forces have tightened their control over the West Bank. This has included the closing of territorial crossings and city-to-city checkpoints, steps which Israel asserts are aimed at forestalling future attacks.

The violence peaked last Friday when 16 Palestinians were killed in various incidents across the West Bank. According to Israeli military sources, 220 individuals have been detained in operations throughout the territory since the attack last weekend. Among those are 130 operatives affiliated with Hamas, who, although present in the West Bank, mostly operate covertly due to Israel’s stringent controls.

Additional Context

While Israel contends with Hamas, it also has concerns about the potential for Hezbollah, based on its northern border with Lebanon, to enter the fray, thereby complicating the conflict further.

Palestinian representatives argue that Israel’s recent actions in the West Bank have increasingly blurred the distinction between Israeli security forces and extremist settlers. Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, a right-wing settler with a history of anti-Arab statements, has heightened tensions by arming the settler population. Earlier this week, Ben-Gvir announced that his office is distributing firearms and military equipment to Israeli civilians, focusing particularly on residents of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Reports of Settler Violence

Numerous instances of settler violence have been reported. For example, video footage captured a settler shooting a Palestinian at close range in the village of Al-Tuwani. In another incident, settlers killed five Palestinians in two separate events near the northern city of Nablus. Settlers have also driven Palestinians out of villages, including Wadi Seeq, where residents say soldiers and police participated in the attacks. This has led to a series of displacements, contributing to a larger trend that the West Bank Protection Consortium, a collective of aid groups and donor countries, has noted as particularly concerning.

Official Silence and Civilian Concerns

Neither the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), nor the Israeli military has offered comment on these incidents. Previous statements suggest that troops open fire only in response to perceived threats and are tasked with protecting Palestinians from settler attacks. However, these assurances provide little comfort to Palestinian communities facing an uptick in violence and forced displacement.

A recent United Nations report stated that 1,100 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence in the past year. According to the West Bank Protection Consortium, between 200 to 300 Palestinians have been displaced just in the last few days.

Calls for Responsibility and Grassroots Actions

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari has seemingly called on settlers to refrain from taking security matters into their own hands, stating that only the military is responsible for security in these areas. However, messages encouraging aggressive action continue to circulate in WhatsApp groups among settlers.

As the conflict continues to evolve, the question remains as to what extent non-military groups will heed calls for restraint, especially in light of a message distributed in settler communication channels urging residents to prepare for “the possibility of mobilizing for a joint activity with the security forces.”

The message explicitly calls for settlers to “eliminate” any Palestinian approaching a settlement, underscoring the heightened tension and raising questions about the ability of formal security forces to maintain order during this turbulent period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about West Bank Violence

More about West Bank Violence

• Understanding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• U.N. Reports on Violence in the Occupied Territories
• Historical Background of the West Bank
• Israel’s Security Measures in the West Bank: An Analysis
• The Role of Settlements in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• Hezbollah and its Influence in the Middle East
• West Bank Protection Consortium: An Overview
• The Legal Status of the West Bank: International Perspectives
• The 1967 War and its Aftermath
• Humanitarian Aid in the Occupied Palestinian Territories