GENEVA: The United Nations warned that Israel’s large-scale military operations in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday “risks seriously deepening the already catastrophic situation” in the Palestinian territory.
The UN Human Rights Office condemned the raids, which it says risk exacerbating an already dire situation in the Palestinian territories. “Israel, as the occupying power, must abide by its obligations under international law,” UN Human Rights Office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement.
The spokeswoman stated that the Israeli military’s recent actions could “seriously deepen the already catastrophic situation” in the West Bank. “Many children have been killed while throwing stones at highly protected Israeli security forces, as have other Palestinians posing no imminent threat to life or serious injury,” Shamdasani said.
The operations involved coordinated raids across four cities—Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, and Tulkarem—resulting in the deaths of nine Palestinians, including at least two reported children. This brings the total number of fatalities in the West Bank since October 7 to 637.
Shamdasani criticized the “disproportionate use of force” by Israeli security forces, highlighting reports of brutal killings, including children and persons posing no imminent threat. She emphasized the need for a thorough and independent investigation into alleged unlawful killings and accountability for those responsible.
The spokesperson said thousands of Palestinians had been arbitrarily arrested and tortured, subjected to unrelenting settler violence, severe restrictions on movement and expression, their homes and property destroyed or seized, and forcibly displaced. “Israel, as the occupying power, must abide by its obligations under international law,” she said.
“The Israeli security forces’ use of airstrikes and other military weapons and tactics violates human rights norms and standards applicable to law enforcement operations.” Shamdasani said alleged unlawful killings needed to be thoroughly and independently investigated, and those responsible held to account.
The raids have further strained the humanitarian situation, with Israeli forces targeting infrastructure in Tulkarem and Tubas. The destruction has included water and sewage systems, causing significant disruption to essential services. The Red Crescent reported that the raids resulted in ten deaths and 22 injuries, with ambulances and medical staff also coming under fire.
The situation in Gaza remains equally grim. According to Gaza’s health ministry, Israeli bombardments have killed more than 40,534 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The escalation of violence has led to widespread destruction and displacement, with severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cut short a visit to Saudi Arabia to address the situation at home. Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdullah II has called for an urgent Gaza ceasefire deal to halt the ongoing Israeli violence.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz defended the military operations He accused Iran of trying to establish an “eastern front” against Israel through its support for groups in Gaza and Lebanon.
In the West Bank, the Israeli military’s raids are part of a broader campaign that has already resulted in over 650 Palestinian deaths since October 7. The military’s actions have been described by some as an “open war” against Palestinian territories.
Meanwhile, the international community continues to push for mediation efforts. Qatar is hosting ongoing negotiations, with an Israeli delegation present, aiming to bring an end to the Gaza conflict. However, the situation remains volatile, with continued hostilities and mounting Palestinian casualties.
Early Wednesday, Israel launched coordinated raids across four northern West Bank cities. Columns of armoured vehicles entered two refugee camps, in Tulkarem and Tubas, as well as Jenin.
By midday, they were blocking entrances to the towns and camps, with soldiers firing at the camps from which gunfire and explosions were heard.
The Red Crescent said Israeli forces killed 10 people and wounded 22 others in the raids. The medical organisation’s West Bank chief Younes al-Khatib said ambulances came under Israel fire and “one of our staffers was hit”.
Hamas late Tuesday reiterated a call for Palestinians in the West Bank to “rise up” following widely condemned comments by a far-right Israeli minister.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a settler and proponent of West Bank annexation, said he would build a synagogue at Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound if he could.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Palestinians were on the move following Israeli evacuation orders.
One of the latest targeted the area around Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital in Deir el-Balah, from which “nearly 650 patients have fled”, Doctors Without Borders said.
The charity said it “opened a field hospital and started receiving patients amid a severe lack of supplies and resources”.
