Occupied Palestinian Territory Conflict Sees Over 1,000 Settler Attacks Recorded This Year

The occupied Palestinian territory conflict has seen the pace of Israeli settler violence reach a record high, according to UN agencies, with more than 1,000 attacks causing casualties or property damage so far this year across the West Bank.

Record Pace of Settler Violence in the West Bank

OCHA reports that the number of settler attacks causing casualties or property damage this year in the West Bank has now surpassed 1,000. [1] These attacks have affected more than 230 communities across all parts of the West Bank. [1] More than 2,200 Palestinians have been displaced this year due to settler violence and other access restrictions, alongside hundreds more who have been displaced due to home demolitions by Israeli authorities. [1] Last week, settler attacks resulted in the injury of more than 30 Palestinians and widespread damage to property, essential infrastructure and livelihoods. [1] The current pace of settler attacks causing casualties or property damage, an average of six incidents per day, is higher than in any year on record. [1] Since the beginning of January, and as of this Monday, 57 Palestinians, including 13 children and two women, have been killed across the West Bank. [3] Of these, 41 were killed by Israeli forces, 13 by Israeli settlers, and three by either Israeli forces or settlers. [3] So far this year, OCHA has documented more than 980 settler-related incidents resulting in casualties or property damage across over 230 communities. [3]

Palestinian Fatalities from Israeli Forces and Settlers

An analysis by Oxfam Intermón reveals that the army and Israeli settlers have killed more people in the occupied West Bank in the last three years than in the previous 17 years combined. [2] The number of children killed in these last three years has also increased. [2] An analysis of United Nations data reveals that 1,036 Palestinians were killed. [2] More than one in five of those killed over the last 20 years were children. [2]

UN agencies report over 1,000 Israeli settler attacks causing casualties or property damage in the West Bank this year. — Source: ocha

Humanitarian Response and Health Challenges

Humanitarian partners are supporting people in need, especially in Area C, East Jerusalem and other areas where the Palestinian authorities are not allowed to provide services directly. [1] The latest report by the World Food Programme indicates that more than 300,000 people across the West Bank received food and cash assistance in May. [1] Health partners are helping deliver essential services through a network of 870 service points, including 230 locations reached by mobile clinics. [1] They warn that some health facilities in the West Bank have had to reduce their operating days and working hours because of shortages in operational capacity, medicines, medical supplies and consumables, as well as access restrictions. [1] In Gaza, the World Food Programme said that in May, it reached about 1.4 million people with assistance, including food parcels, bread bundles, hot meals, and malnutrition treatment. [3] To help feed families, WFP provided cash assistance to about half a million people, and hundreds of others were engaged in the cash-for-work programme, working on carpentry and sewing. [3] Nutrition partners report that in May, they screened more than 77,000 children aged 6 to 59 months. [1] More than 4 per cent of them were identified with acute malnutrition and admitted for treatment. [1] Of over 53,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women who were also screened in May, just over 3 per cent were admitted for treatment. [1]

Gaza Crossings, Detentions and Explosive Hazards

The Rafah crossing has now reopened for the movement of a limited number of people in both directions. [3] Today, the UN and its partners resumed support for the medical evacuation of people seeking treatment outside of Gaza and offered to help those returning to Gaza. [3] This follows a short closure of the crossing by the Israeli authorities earlier this week. [3] The Kerem Shalom crossing reopened yesterday for the offloading of cargo to enter Gaza. [3] Yesterday, humanitarian teams were able to pick up food and fuel from the crossing, and more collection efforts were ongoing as of earlier today. [3] However, humanitarian partners warn that Kerem Shalom remains the only crossing point for cargo to enter Gaza, which results in congestion and limits to operations. [3] The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reports today that one of the two ambulance crew members who had remained detained yesterday has been released, while the other was still unaccounted for as of earlier today. [1] Yesterday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for their release. [1] In a social media statement today, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights agency said that yesterday, Palestinian armed elements detained several Palestinians, including seven ambulance crew members from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, on Salah Ad Din Road in Gaza. [3] Two of them remain detained in an unknown location. [3] Mine action partners in Gaza say that in the first week of June, they conducted 50 assessments of explosive hazards. [1] Through these assessments, they supported the removal of debris and other humanitarian efforts. [1] They are also raising awareness among children and adults of the risks associated with explosive ordnance and how to avoid them. [1]

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Calls for Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access

Yesterday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the immediate release of the healthcare workers and called upon Israel’s obligations to ensure public order and safety in Gaza and to refrain from, as well as prevent, such violations of international law, including the obstruction of medical services. [3] The UN reiterates their call for the protection of civilians, including healthcare workers, and full respect for international law. [3] OCHA remains deeply concerned by reports of continued hostilities and the toll they are taking on civilians. [3] The UN reiterates the urgent need to protect civilians, ensure safe and sustained humanitarian access, and respect international humanitarian law. [3] OCHA reiterates its call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access. [1]

Nutrition Screening and Malnutrition Treatment in Gaza

Nutrition screening in Gaza during May identified acute malnutrition in over 4 percent of more than 77,000 children and just over 3 percent of more than 53,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women. [1] More than 4 per cent of the screened children were identified with acute malnutrition and admitted for treatment. [1] Of over 53,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women who were also screened in May, just over 3 per cent were admitted for treatment. [1] These screenings form part of broader efforts by nutrition partners to address rising needs amid ongoing access constraints. [1]

What to watch next: The UN and its partners will continue resumed support for medical evacuations through the reopened Rafah crossing while monitoring congestion at Kerem Shalom, alongside ongoing mine action assessments and calls for the release of the remaining detained ambulance crew member.