A United Nations document has exposed the grave human rights violations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, under Israeli occupation. The document covers the period from October 7 to November 20 and records the deaths of 300 Palestinians, including 79 children, by Israeli forces and settlers. It also shows the widespread use of military tactics, excessive force, and movement restrictions against the Palestinian population.
The document urges Israel to respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law and to stop the killings and violence that have increased since October 7. It also calls on Israel to protect Palestinian communities from forced displacement and to investigate all incidents involving Israeli forces and settlers.
According to the document, Israeli forces killed at least 291 Palestinians, while settlers killed eight, and one Palestinian died either by Israeli forces or settlers. This brings the total number of Palestinian deaths in the region to 500 since the beginning of the year, the highest toll in 10 months since 2005.
The document expresses deep concern over the use of airstrikes, incursions, and bulldozers in crowded areas, causing casualties and damage. One of the most serious incidents occurred on October 19-20, when Israeli forces launched a 30-hour-long operation in Nour Shams Refugee Camp, killing 14 Palestinians, including six children. The UN’s investigation also reveals the harsh treatment of over 4,700 Palestinians who have been arrested by Israeli forces, including about 40 journalists. The detainees have faced strip searches, blindfolding, and physical abuse.
The UN highlights the alarming rise in settler attacks, averaging six incidents per day, involving shootings, arson, and uprooting of trees. Settlers, sometimes with the support of Israeli soldiers, have also targeted Palestinians harvesting olives, stealing crops and damaging trees, causing significant losses.
The United Nations condemned the dehumanization of Palestinians by settlers and stressed the need for Israeli authorities to denounce and prevent settler violence.
The report also criticized the systematic restrictions on Palestinian movement imposed by Israeli authorities, such as closing entrances to villages and towns and blocking main roads with gates, mounds, and concrete blocks.
The UN repeated the call for an end to measures that create an authoritarian environment for Palestinians and underscored the need for international attention to address the worsening human rights crisis in the West Bank.