The deadly violence in Gaza and Israel has captured the attention of the global media. Unfortunately, the deadly escalation in violence on the occupied West Bank receives little attention.
Back in March the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) launched a full scale assault on the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank which led to the deaths of five civilians including a 16 year old child who was ran over by an Israeli military vehicle and a 61 year old woman who was shot by IDF soldiers through her bedroom window just after she had finished praying.
Just last Thursday over 800 Israeli settlers stormed the Al Asqa Mosque compound in Jerusalem. This mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. At the same time provocative marches were held inside Jerusalem’s Old City and outside its walls. These were accompanied by attacks on Palestinians and their property forcing shops in the area to close.
Al Asqa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Sadly, attacks on Palestinian civilians by IDF soldiers and racist settlers continue unabated.
Yesh Din, which is an Israeli human rights group funded by foreign governments friendly to Israel including the EU and UK, has issued a new report on the upsurge in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Yesh Din reports that in the last five days at least 14 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by gunfire. The IDF has blocked the entrance and exit of numerous Palestinian villages in different areas including Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem and Ramallah.
It further reports that since October 7 IDF soldiers have allowed, and in some cases joined in, numerous attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians . These attacks include shootings, setting fire to Palestinian property and trees.
In its most recent report Yesh Din provides a summary of the events that have been reported to them in the last three days:
Saturday, October 7th
• Six Palestinians were killed, including a chil, in various incidents in the West Bank.
• Yasuf: around ten settlers who came from Tapuah and Tapuah Ma'arav attacked homes and farm houses in the village. They injured one of the farmers, and caused damage to property.
• Qusrah: settlers who came from the direction of Esh Kodesh attacked homes in the village and set fire to property, causing significant damage. At least two residents were injured.
• Yanun: dozens of settlers attacked the village, causing damage to property.
• Iskaka: settlers fired live ammunition at farmers and Palestinian vehicles. Two cars were damaged.
• Qaryut: settlers attacked the village with live ammunition. The incident resulted in no injuries.
• Mu'arrajat: settlers fired live ammunition at Palestinian vehicles on the road to Jericho.
• Hebron: settlers attacked many houses, causing significant damage.
Sunday, October 8th
• Five Palestinians were shot and killed by soldiers in Qalandiya and Hebron.
• Qusrah, Jalud and Sinjil:widespread attack by settlers who used live ammunition.
• Settlers damaged the electricity network between Jalud and Qusrah.
• a-Taybah junction: settlers fired live ammunition at a petrol truck.
• Sabastiya: settlers attack with live ammunition.
Monday, October 9th
• Three Palestinians shot and killed by soldiers.
• Qaryut and Bani Hassan: settlers armed with firearms attacked the villages and fired live ammuni.
• Hebron: soldiers shot at Palestinian journalists and their vehicles.
• Armed settlers fired live ammunition at a Palestinian truck shortly before reaching Ni'lin. Additionally, settlers fired at the car of a Palestinian near Salfit.
• Einabus: settlers descended from the direction of Yitzhar, set a house on fire and attacked homes with live ammunition. Two Palestinians were injured.
• Duma: settlers set fire to vehicles and olive trees.
Yesh Din concludes its report by calling on the international community to live up to its obligations to take action to pressure the Israeli government into taking action to protect the lives of Palestinians on the West Bank:
The situation across the West Bank is escalating. Yesh Din calls upon the international community to apply pressure on the Israeli government to ensure it fulfills its duty and guarantees the safety of Palestinians in the West Bank. The military must uphold its obligation according to international law to protect the lives of the local residents, including from attacks by Israeli settlers.
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