Escalating Crisis in Palestine: NRC Reports Rising Violence and Humanitarian Suffering

The situation in Palestine has reached a critical point as Israel’s government marks six months of escalating violence, which has resulted in a record number of Palestinian casualties in the occupied West Bank. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has expressed grave concern over Israeli forces’ unwarranted use of lethal force, forced displacement of Palestinians, and widespread destruction of homes. As international aid-funded structures are demolished, and settler attacks increase, the humanitarian situation worsens, exacerbating tensions and further jeopardizing the lives and well-being of Palestinians.

The occupied West Bank is witnessing one of the deadliest periods since the UN began recording casualties in 2005. With at least 152 Palestinians, including 28 children, killed in the West Bank, this year is on track to match the grim record set last year. Israeli forces have predominantly used live ammunition, resulting in fatalities. Settlement expansion, home demolitions, and violence perpetrated by Israeli forces and settlers are cited as major contributors to the humanitarian suffering and heightened tensions across the West Bank.

Recent events in the Jenin refugee camp exemplify Palestinians’ dire situation. Israel’s incursion into the camp led to the deaths of at least 12 Palestinians, including four children, and 100 injured. The camp’s infrastructure, including homes, roads, and essential services like electricity and water supplies, was severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes and bulldozers. More than 3,500 refugees were displaced as a result. The NRC’s Caroline Ort condemned air raids on an overcrowded refugee camp, emphasizing that the devastating consequences of such attacks are unacceptable.

This year also witnessed a surge in settler attacks and demolitions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Israeli forces have demolished or seized at least 447 Palestinian structures during the first half of 2023, displacing 685 Palestinians. These demolitions included homes, water and sanitation facilities, agricultural structures, and a school. Settler violence, often overlooked or even encouraged by Israeli authorities, has seen over 441 documented attacks in the first half of this year. Such attacks range from physical assaults on Palestinians to widespread property damage. Israeli authorities have also advanced more than 13,000 new settlement housing units, a record number, further complicating the situation.

The NRC stresses the urgent need for third states to demand that Israeli authorities respect and protect the rights of Palestinians, adhere to the provisions of international law regarding the use of lethal force, and de-escalate the ongoing violence. As the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to prevent military and settler-perpetrated attacks and hold accountable those violating international law. With the international community’s failure to address the crisis effectively, the situation in Palestine continues to deteriorate, threatening the lives and well-being of Palestinians and highlighting the urgent need for action and accountability to alleviate the suffering and protect the rights of those affected.