Image Credits : Reuters
In a critical report released on Thursday, 28th December the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed deep concern over the “rapid deterioration” of human rights in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The report called on Israeli authorities to end violence against the Palestinian population in the region, citing a disturbing escalation in hostilities.
According to the OHCHR, the period since October 7 has witnessed a significant increase in violence, with 300 Palestinians losing their lives in the West Bank. The report points to an incident on that day when Hamas militants carried out a deadly incursion into southern Israel from Gaza, resulting in hostages being taken back to the Palestinian enclave. The majority of West Bank killings occurred during operations by Israeli security forces or confrontations with them.
The report highlighted that at least 105 deaths were attributed to Israeli operations, including air strikes and other military tactics, in refugee camps and densely populated areas. Additionally, eight people were reported killed by Jewish settlers. Tal Heinrich, a spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, dismissed the report as “quite ridiculous,” emphasizing the need to address security threats to Israelis in the West Bank.
Volker Turk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed deep concern over the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against Palestinians in the West Bank. He called on Israel to take immediate and effective steps to halt settler violence against the Palestinian population, urging investigations into all incidents of violence by settlers and Israeli security forces.
The OHCHR report also shed light on other concerning issues, including mass arbitrary detentions, unlawful detentions, and reported cases of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees. Since October 7, approximately 4,785 Palestinians have been detained in the West Bank. The OHCHR statement detailed instances where detainees were subjected to degrading treatment, including being stripped naked, blindfolded, restrained for extended periods, and subjected to physical and verbal abuse.
Israel’s military responded, stating that it operates against suspected militants in the West Bank and has initiated investigations into potential ill-treatment of detainees. The West Bank had already been experiencing heightened unrest in the 18 months leading up to the October 7 attack by Hamas gunmen. Confrontations further escalated after Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza.
The UN report underscores the urgent need for action to address human rights violations and violence in the West Bank. Yet the situation in the region remains precarious, with implications for the broader Middle East peace process.