Israeli forces have intensified their military operations in the occupied West Bank, drawing widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations and global leaders.
Amnesty International has warned that this latest assault, described as part of an “escalation in unlawful killings,” threatens to further endanger Palestinian lives and exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Amnesty International’s statement highlighted the alarming increase in lethal force employed by Israeli soldiers and armed settlers against Palestinians, a trend that has already seen a “horrifying spike” in deaths and injuries.
The organization’s Americas Director, Erika Guevara Rosas, expressed grave concern over reports that Israeli forces have encircled and blocked access to hospitals in the region. She called on Israeli authorities to take immediate action to protect health facilities and personnel, emphasizing Israel’s obligations as the occupying power under international law.
“As the occupying power, Israel has a clear obligation to protect Palestinians, their homes, and the infrastructure throughout the occupied Palestinian territory,” Guevara Rosas stated. She also warned that the current military operation would likely result in “further loss of Palestinian lives,” increased forced displacement, and further destruction of critical infrastructure, potentially constituting collective punishment.
Experts have voiced concerns about the broader implications of the ongoing violence. Adel Abdel Ghafar, director of the Foreign Policy and Security Programme at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, described the situation as “troubling,” noting that it could signify a dangerous expansion of the Israel-Gaza conflict into the West Bank.
“I think the Israelis here are pursuing two objectives. First of all, their stated objective is to go after the militants in the West Bank,” Ghafar told Al Jazeera. “But more widely, really, this is the continuation of the war against the Palestinian people and the potential expansion of the settlement.”
Ghafar pointed to the increasing settler violence and the harsh rhetoric from the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as evidence of this broader strategy. “This is really part and parcel of the collective punishment of Palestinian people. We’ve seen 40,000 dead, destruction of civilian infrastructure, the return of polio, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war,” he added.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of Israel’s attacks on the occupied West Bank, particularly in the Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas governorates. In a strongly worded statement, Guterres condemned the loss of lives, including those of children, and urged Israel to prioritize the protection of civilians and their access to medical care.
“All those injured must have access to medical care, and humanitarian workers must be able to reach everyone in need,” Guterres said, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian aid in the region.
He also expressed deep concern over “dangerous and provocative acts and statements” by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has led Israelis in repeated stormings of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound since the onset of the conflict with Gaza. Ben-Gvir has also called for the construction of a synagogue at the site, further inflaming tensions.
Guterres warned that these “dangerous developments” are fueling an already explosive situation in the West Bank and undermining the Palestinian Authority, potentially destabilizing the region even further.
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