Israeli Attacks
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has strongly condemned the Israeli military’s ongoing attacks in the occupied West Bank, specifically in Jenin. He has called on Israeli forces to “exercise maximum restraint” and emphasized that lethal force should only be used when absolutely necessary to protect lives.
Speaking during a news conference in response to a question by Anadolu Agency regarding the escalation of Israeli military operations and increasing violence by illegal Israeli settlers, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq expressed the Secretary-General’s profound concern about the situation.
Haq highlighted the large-scale military operation in Jenin as a source of grave alarm, stating that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported significant dangers to the safety and well-being of Palestinians in the area.
The violence in Jenin has reportedly resulted in fatalities and injuries, including among medical personnel. Initial reports from OCHA indicate that the operation has included airstrikes, heavy bulldozing, and the deployment of undercover forces.
These actions have displaced approximately 2,000 families from the Jenin refugee camp. Haq also noted the ongoing challenges faced by residents due to damage from previous Israeli operations. Critical infrastructure in the camp has been severely affected, leaving it disconnected from basic services such as water and electricity.
The tension in the occupied West Bank has been further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to Haq, more than 90% of housing units in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed over the past 15 months, leaving displaced Palestinians struggling to return home even as a recent ceasefire offers a temporary respite.
He urged UN member states and humanitarian partners to increase their support to meet the immense needs of affected communities. The UN is working tirelessly to deliver aid to the people of Gaza and the West Bank, but the scale of destruction and displacement has made the task monumental.
The situation remains dire, with international calls growing for an end to the violence and for measures to ensure the protection of civilians.
