Escalating violence and human rights violations in West Bank

Arson attack with grafitti, on family homes in Duma, West Bank. 12.6.2024.

Source: Norwegian Refugee Council

In the first half of 2024, there has been a severe escalation of violence and human rights violations in the West Bank reports the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers, with over 1,000 displaced and nearly 160,000 adversely affected by demolitions.

The West Bank has experienced a significant surge in violence, resulting in 228 Palestinian fatalities, including 51 children, marking a 65 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. In five instances, it could not be determined whether the killings were committed by Israeli forces or by settlers.

"The data indicates that Israeli forces are deploying unwarranted use of lethal force against Palestinian civilians," said Ana Povrzenic, NRC's country director in Palestine. "We cannot separate the worsening conditions in the West Bank from the actions of senior Israeli officials aimed to establish sovereignty over the West Bank, in violation of international law."

The number of search and arrest operations conducted by Israeli forces in the West Bank nearly doubled, rising to 3,384 in the first half of 2024 from 1,873 in the same period in 2023. Israeli authorities have intensified raids, particularly in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps, utilising military tactics and heavy weaponry against civilians, including airstrikes. These operations have led to the destruction of 81 structures and the displacement of 499 Palestinians in these areas alone.

"The Israeli army did not differentiate between a stone, a tree, or a human being," said Nihaya al-Jundi, a resident of Nur Shams camp, where 242 Palestinians were displaced, and a youth centre, a kindergarten, and a multi-purpose hall were destroyed. "No person and no home are safe, not even those with the elderly, people with disabilities, or children."

Israel's unlawful demolition of Palestinian property has reached unprecedented levels. By 30 June 2024, 643 Palestinian structures had been destroyed, marking a 42 per cent increase from the same period in 2023. In most of these cases, Israel reports the structures lack Israeli-issued building permits, which are virtually impossible for Palestinians to obtain.

Settler attacks have also climbed, with 649 incidents recorded in the first half of 2024, compared to 598 in 2023. In Duma, a multi-hour settler attack on 13 April resulted in the destruction of homes and livelihood structures, Izzat Dawabshe, a Duma resident, described the event: "Anyone who defended himself in any way was shot or detained."

Settlers destroyed four homes and damaged or burned 31 others during the attack on Duma. Settlers completely burned a dozen livelihood structures and damaged or burned three others.

"While some states have imposed sanctions against individual violent settlers, this has had limited impact in reducing rates of violence," said Povrzenic. "States must do more to hold the state of Israel, its central and local governments, and security forces - not just individual offenders - accountable for grave breaches of international law."

Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, Israeli forces and settlers killed 228 Palestinians, including 51 children, according to the UN. In five instances, the UN could not determine whether the killings were committed by Israeli forces or settlers.

Between 1 January - 30 June 2023, Israeli forces and settlers killed 138 Palestinians, including 24 children, according to the UN.

Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, Israel conducted 36 airstrikes in the West Bank, including 23 in refugee camps, according to the UN.

Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, Israeli authorities demolished 643 Palestinian structures, including 30 funded by international donors, resulting in the displacement of 1,183 Palestinians, including 497 children, according to the UN. At least 159,051 Palestinians have been affected by the demolitions.

Between 1 January and 30 June 2024, Israeli forces demolished 81 structures in Nur Shams (34), Tulkarm (33), and Jenin Refugee Camp (14) during military raids, displacing 499 Palestinians, according to the UN.

Any use of force by the occupying power in situations other than the conduct of hostilities remains subject to the law enforcement standards of precaution, proportionality, and necessity like those deriving from human rights law.

Settlers destroyed four homes and damaged or burned 31 others during the 13 April attack on Duma, according to the NRC-led West Bank Protection Consortium (WBPC). Settlers completely burned a dozen livelihood structures and damaged or burned three others.

Formed in 2015 to prevent the forcible transfer of Palestinians in the West Bank, the WBPC is a strategic partnership of five international NGOs led by NRC. The consortium is supported by 11 European Union donors, together with the United Kingdom, Canada, and EU Humanitarian Aid.

LINK

Norwegian Refugee Council: www.nrc.no/