Israeli forces have intensified their crackdown in the occupied West Bank, destroying homes and imposing sanctions on Palestinian suspects and their families in response to a deadly shooting attack in occupied East Jerusalem.
The attack, which killed six people and wounded 12, has aggravated tensions and sparked fears of increased violence and repression of Palestinians on their soil.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the demolition of the homes of two Palestinians suspected of the shooting, as well as sanctions on their family members and residents of their towns, Qatanna and Qubeiba.
The sanctions include the demolition of structures built without permits and the revocation of 750 work permits and entry permits to Israel.
Israeli Army Chief Eyal Zamir said “we will continue with a determined and ongoing operational and intelligence effort, we will pursue terror cells everywhere, and we will thwart terrorist infrastructure and its organisers” .
However, Palestinians and human rights groups condemn these actions as collective punishment, prohibited under international law.
Amnesty International’s Erika Guevara Rosas stated, “Israel’s assault on Gaza City will entrench its unlawful occupation and again forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians, causing further death and destruction.” The UN has also slammed Israel over its “mass killing” in Gaza.
People all over the world have questioned the existence of the United nations and other organizations whose activities against terror both domestically and internationally, have not gone beyond condemnation.
One wonder whether the inability of the UN to prosecute many high profile cases against oppression,suppression,repression and vandalism have anything to do with the posture of the United States, especially the Trump Administration on such cases.
The Israeli military has stepped up its operations in the West Bank, with raids and settler attacks against Palestinians increasing since the war in Gaza began in October 2023.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces stormed the town of Biddu, closing its main entrance and firing live ammunition, sound bombs, and tear gas during clashes with locals. Settlers have also attacked Palestinian homes and vehicles, spray-painting racist slogans and cutting down olive trees.
In all these, no one dares question or attempt to bring these heinous activities to justice.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with Israel’s relentless bombing killing scores of civilians and destroying homes and infrastructure. The UN has warned that the situation is catastrophic, with over 86% of the Gaza Strip being declared a no-go zone or under displacement orders.
“Time and again the world has watched at the sidelines as Israel continues to defy the most basic principles of humanity,” said Erika Guevara Rosas.
The international community has expressed outrage over Israel’s actions, with Spain imposing a total arms embargo on Israel to stop the “genocide in Gaza.”
The UN General Assembly is set to discuss the situation, with calls for concrete action to halt Israel’s genocide and ensure accountability.
