UN Reports Increased Israeli Attacks, Palestinian Casualties Amid Protests in Israel and West Bank
In a series of alarming events, the Israeli military and settlers have escalated their attacks on Palestinians, leading to increased casualties and the destruction of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, according to a recent United Nations report. The situation has been further exacerbated by the presence of unexploded Israeli bombs in Gaza, leading to tragic fatalities, including children.
Rising Tensions and Casualties
In the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, a Palestinian child was killed when an explosive device left by Israeli forces detonated, according to Al Jazeera and Al-Quds News. Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defence, stated last month that Israel had dropped approximately 200,000 tonnes of explosives on the territory, with approximately 70,000 tonnes failing to detonate. The presence of such explosives has been highlighted as a significant threat to lives across the Gaza Strip.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces reportedly killed a Palestinian man during a raid and injured several others in settler attacks. Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to Palestinian buildings in Jaba, north of Jerusalem and also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives, causing at least 14 injuries requiring medical attention. Journalists covering the olive harvest were also reportedly targeted.
Arrests and Demolitions
Israel has also been accused of making arbitrary detentions, with 442 Palestinians, including 33 children, arrested in October alone, as reported by Middle East Eye. In addition to the arrests, the Israeli army has continued demolition operations on residential buildings in Khan Younis city, South of the Strip.
Protests and International Response
In response to the escalating violence, thousands of Israelis have protested outside the military headquarters in Tel Aviv, marking the first such protest since the ceasefire agreement took effect. The protest was met with forceful action from the police who removed a stand by Looking the Occupation in the Eye,
an activist group opposing Israel's occupation of the West Bank.
Internationally, rights groups have warned of a new settler outpost in the town of Anata, east of occupied East Jerusalem. They fear this could lead to the displacement of Bedouin communities northeast of Jerusalem. The UN's report on the increasing attacks has raised concerns regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state, while the Israeli state's expansion into areas formerly controlled by the Al-Assad regime in Syria has been noted as a similar cause for concern.
Ongoing Conflict and Uncertain Future
As the conflict continues to escalate, the future for Palestinians remains uncertain. With the Israeli military's rising attacks, the persistence of unexploded bombs, and the ongoing detention and displacement of Palestinians, the prospect of peace seems increasingly remote. Despite this, protests within Israel and international condemnation highlight the continued resistance to these actions.