IN a powerful indictment of Israeli security forces’ actions, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan delivered a scathing assessment of recent operations in the occupied West Bank.
“The deadly Israeli operations in recent days raise serious concerns about unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including methods and means developed for warfighting, in violation of international human rights law norms and standards applicable to law enforcement operations,” Al-Kheetan stated.
He highlighted the devastating human cost: “Our Office has verified that at least 12 Palestinians have been killed and 40 injured by Israeli security forces since Tuesday, most of them reportedly unarmed. Among the injured were a doctor and two nurses.”
Al-Kheetan was unequivocal about the systemic nature of the violence: “By persistently failing, over the years, to hold accountable members of its security forces responsible for unlawful killings, Israel is not only violating its obligations under international law, but risks encouraging the recurrence of such killings.”
The UN spokesperson also condemned settler violence, reporting that “settlers have been attacking Palestinian villages and stoning vehicles, injuring several Palestinians. Houses and vehicles have been set on fire.”
Crucially, Al-Kheetan emphasized the broader legal implications: “We are also concerned by repeated comments from some Israeli officials about plans to expand settlements further still, in a fresh breach of international law. We recall again that the transfer by Israel of its own civilian population into territories it occupies also amounts to a war crime.”
His final call was urgent and direct: “We call for an immediate end to the violence in the West Bank, urging all parties, including third States with influence, to do everything in their power to ensure peace is achieved in the region.”
