Photo by OCHA Over the past week, escalating violence in the occupied West Bank has resulted in more casualties, displacement of people and damage to property. Photo from the archive UN warns of escalating violence in West Bank Peace and Security
UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov called for urgent action to protect civilians and prevent further escalation in the occupied West Bank. His statement followed a new surge of violence southwest of Nablus, where four Palestinians and two Israelis were killed and several others were injured.
According to Alakbarov, over the past week, the escalation of violence has led to new casualties, displacement of people, damage to property and a deterioration in the security situation in several areas. Palestinians continue to be killed and injured, and Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian communities, religious sites and civilian infrastructure continue unabated, the statement said. At the same time, Palestinian attacks on Israelis, including shootings, arson and stoning, have also resulted in civilian deaths, injuries and property damage.
New surge violence
Friday’s incidents southwest of Nablus killed four Palestinians and two Israelis and injured several others. There has also been significant damage to Palestinian property. “Today’s incidents highlight the urgent need to protect civilians and prevent further escalation in the occupied West Bank,” Alakbarov said. He called on Israel to take immediate action to prevent settler violence, protect Palestinian communities and bring those responsible for the attacks to justice. Palestinians, in turn, must unequivocally reject violence and incitement to it, and take urgent measures to prevent attacks on Israelis, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator emphasized.