In the late hours of 27 August, Israel began simultaneously attacking multiple locations in cities and refugee camps in the West Bank, reportedly killing at least 10 people, in what Israeli forces have referred to as ‘a full force operation’.
This operation marks a dangerous escalation to the ongoing attacks and violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, opening a new phase of destruction in the West Bank, amid already critical humanitarian, economic, health and security conditions. Between 7 October 2023 and 27 August 2024, Israeli military forces and settlers have killed 628 Palestinians in the West Bank, of which 159 died as a result of airstrikes.
In remarks indicating Israel’s intent to extend to the West Bank the same kind of indiscriminate violence it has employed in Gaza over the last 10 months, Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz, stated: “We must deal with the threat [in the West Bank] just as we deal with the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza including the temporary evacuation of Palestinian residents and whatever steps are required.”
“Israel has shown complete disregard not only towards international law, but also towards basic humanity and human life. The suffering that Israel has inflicted on Gaza has been unimaginable, and to express similar intentions for the West Bank is a dangerous statement that must not be taken lightly”, said Amna Guellali, Research Director at the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies.
Open-ended threats to take ‘whatever steps are required,’ viewed in light of Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza, raises alarm about the protection of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. Supposed security risks, including possible terrorism, do not relieve Israel of its obligations to conduct its operations in accordance with international law.
On 19 July 2024, the International Court of Justice adopted an advisory opinion stating that Israel’s effective control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory must at all times be consistent with the rules concerning the prohibition of the threat or use of force. The ICJ found that Israel’s systematic failure to prevent or punish violence against Palestinians, and its excessive use of force against Palestinians, have contributed to ‘creating and maintaining a coercive environment’ against them, in violation of Israel’s international obligations. The same advisory opinion made a legal judgment that Israel is guilty of maintaining a system of apartheid against the Palestinian population of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
An immediate and permanent ceasefire has never been more critical. The international community and the UN Security Council must intensify pressure for a ceasefire and call on Israel to stop its violations against Palestinians, particularly its systematic disproportionate use of force in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. All UN member states have a legal obligation to immediately cease any and all support to Israel that may assist the government in the commission of further violations. Moreover, the International Criminal Court should widen its investigations into Israeli leaders and military personnel implicated in war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians and hold them accountable for their actions. The suffering of Gazans must be stopped immediately, not extended to civilians in other parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
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