Türk Urges End to Rising Violence in West Bank, Calls for Accountability

Türk highlighted the need for accountability for the deaths of over 500 Palestinians at the hands of Israeli Security Forces (ISF) and settlers.

Volker Türk, the UN Human Rights Chief, has issued a renewed call for an end to the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, which has seen a sharp rise since 7 October. Türk highlighted the need for accountability for the deaths of over 500 Palestinians at the hands of Israeli Security Forces (ISF) and settlers.

On 1 June, Israeli forces fatally shot 16-year-old Ahmed Ashraf Hamidat and critically injured 17-year-old Mohammed Musa Al Bitar near Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in Jericho. Al Bitar succumbed to his injuries the next day. These incidents, along with the killing of four more Palestinians by the ISF on Monday, brought the Palestinian death toll since 7 October to 505, according to data from the UN Human Rights Office.

During the same period, 24 Israelis, including eight ISF members, were killed in the West Bank and Israel in clashes or alleged attacks by Palestinians from the West Bank.

"The people of the occupied West Bank are enduring unprecedented bloodshed, adding to the tragic events in Israel and Gaza over the past eight months," said Türk. "It is unfathomable that so many lives have been taken in such a wanton fashion."

Türk condemned the widespread violence and human rights violations, urging Israel to adopt and enforce rules of engagement that align with human rights standards. He emphasized the necessity of thorough, independent investigations into allegations of unlawful killings, with those responsible held accountable.

"Pervasive impunity for such crimes has persisted for too long in the occupied West Bank, fostering an environment conducive to further unlawful killings by the ISF. International law must be respected and enforced, and accountability must be ensured," he stated.

CCTV footage revealed that the two boys killed over the weekend were shot from a distance of about 70 meters while running away after throwing stones and/or Molotov cocktails towards a military post near Aqabat Jaber.

The ISF has often used lethal force against Palestinian protesters throwing stones, incendiary bottles, and firecrackers at armored vehicles, even when those shot did not pose an imminent threat to life. The frequent shooting of Palestinians in the upper body and the denial of medical assistance suggest an intent to kill, violating the right to life rather than attempting to de-escalate tense situations.

"UN Human Rights Office monitoring of over 80 cases indicates consistent violations of international human rights law by the ISF through unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force and an increase in apparently planned targeted killings," Türk stated. "These cases also show a systematic denial or delay of medical assistance to those critically injured."

The violence by the ISF and Israeli settlers, coupled with the ongoing destruction in Gaza, has instilled fear and insecurity among Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The killing of Palestinians by the ISF, which had already reached a record high in the first nine months of 2023, surged dramatically after the attacks by Palestinian armed groups on Israel last October. Since the start of 2024, almost 200 Palestinians have been killed by the ISF, compared with 113 in the same period in 2023 and 50 in 2022.

Since 7 October, despite the absence of armed hostilities in the occupied West Bank, the ISF has conducted at least 29 militarized operations. These operations have included airstrikes by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or planes and the firing of ground-to-ground missiles on refugee camps and other densely populated areas. During these operations, 164 Palestinians, including 35 children, have been killed.

Türk concluded by stressing the urgent need for accountability and adherence to international law to halt the cycle of violence and protect human rights in the region.