A United Nations report released Thursday laments what it calls a “rapid deterioration” of human rights in the occupied West Bank and calls on Israeli authorities to end violence against the Palestinian population.
The report, published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said 300 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 7, the day Hamas gunmen carried out the deadly attack in southern Israel and took hostages in Israel. Gaza.
Most of the deaths occurred during operations by the Israeli security forces or in clashes with them.
At least 105 deaths can be attributed to Israeli operations involving airstrikes or other military tactics in refugee camps or other densely populated areas. According to the report, at least eight people were killed by Jewish settlers.
There was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities on the report. Israel maintains that its operations in the West Bank are preventative and aim to contain security threats.
“The use of tactical assets and military weapons in security contexts, the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force, and the application of broad, arbitrary and discriminatory restrictions on movement that target Palestinians are extremely concerning,” the statement said. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk.
“I call on Israel to take immediate, clear and effective measures to end settler violence against the Palestinian population, to investigate all incidents of violence by settlers and Israeli security forces, to ensure the effective protection of Palestinian communities”.
The OHCHR said it also recorded mass arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and cases of torture and other forms of ill-treatment reported against Palestinian detainees. Some 4,785 Palestinians are said to be detained in the West Bank as of October 7.
“Some were stripped naked, blindfolded and held for long hours with handcuffs and their legs tied, while Israeli soldiers stomped on their heads and backs, were spat on, thrown against walls, threatened, insulted, humiliated and, in some cases , subjected to sexual abuse and gender-based violence,” the OHCHR said.
The West Bank had already experienced the highest levels of unrest in decades during the 18 months preceding the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas gunmen, but fighting escalated sharply when Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza .
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
