Responding to the launch of a major Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank targeting several Palestinian cities and towns including Jenin, Tulkarem, Nablus and Tubas, and deploying hundreds of soldiers to carry out raids supported by fighter jets, drones and bulldozers Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns. Erika Guevara Rosas said:
What is the impact of the military assault in the West Bank?
- Israel launched a major coordinated military assault on cities and towns in the West Bank.
- Horrifying spike in lethal force by Israeli forces since October last year.
- Alarming reports of Israeli forces encircling and blocking access to hospitals.
“Ongoing military operations on this scale will undoubtedly lead to an escalation in deadly violence, resulting in further loss of Palestinian lives. It is likely that these operations will result in an increase in forced displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure, and measures of collective punishment, which have been key pillars of Israel’s system of apartheid against Palestinians and of its unlawful occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
What does Amnesty International urge the Israeli authorities to do?
- Take action to safeguard health facilities and personnel.
- Guarantee access to medical care for individuals in need.
- Ensure protection of Palestinians and their homes throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Amnesty International previously documented how Israeli forces unleashed a brutal wave of violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank following the deadly 7 October attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel. This research highlighted how Israeli forces carried out unlawful killings, including by using lethal force without necessity or disproportionately during protests and arrest raids, and denying medical assistance to those injured.
What other issues have been documented by Amnesty International?
- Shocking increase in state-backed settler violence against Palestinians.
- Escalation in arrests and arbitrary detentions to crush Palestinian dissent.
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Source: www.amnesty.org