Occupied West Bank, Middle East– The Israel-Palestine conflict has witnessed a significant escalation in recent days, with Israeli forces launching a series of raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank.
The city of Tulkarem has been particularly affected, with Israeli soldiers sealing off entrances and carrying out mass arrests, displacement, and collective punishment.
Footage shared by residents shows soldiers marching Palestinians in lines through the streets, an act described by many as a “humiliating show of force”.
Tulkarem Governor Abdullah Kamil has appealed to the international community, urging the United Nations General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, and humanitarian groups to act against what he calls “crimes” being committed against the city’s nearly 100,000 residents.
Kamil alleges that Israeli forces are “arbitrarily and unjustly” carrying out mass arrests, storming homes, destroying property, and “terrorising children and women”.
These actions are part of a broader policy aimed at asserting control over the occupied West Bank, with Israeli forces trying “to crack down on Palestinians and really… remind them who has the upper hand and control in the occupied West Bank”.
The situation on the ground is dire, with “tens of thousands of Palestinians displaced out of their homes… rendering the city, the refugee camps into ghost towns”, Ibrahim added.
The Israeli military’s actions have also led to injuries and arrests, including in the village of Deir Jarir, where five young Palestinians were shot and wounded, and one was arrested before receiving medical treatment.
The escalation comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advances an illegal settlement expansion plan that would all but eliminate the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu has declared, “we are going to fulfil our promise that there will be no Palestinian state. This place belongs to us,” adding, “We are going to double the city’s population”.
The project, driven by far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, covers a 12sq km stretch of land and foresees 3,400 new homes for Israeli settlers.
Critics argue that this plan would cut off large parts of the occupied West Bank from East Jerusalem, linking together major settlement blocs and undermining the possibility of a two-state solution.
Under international law, all Israeli settlements in occupied territory are considered illegal, regardless of whether they have Israeli government approval.
The international community has widely condemned Israel’s settlement expansion and actions in the occupied territories.
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also condemned the raids, stating that international silence has emboldened Israel to press ahead with unilateral measures aimed at destabilizing the territory.
The situation in Gaza is equally dire, with the Israeli military’s actions causing widespread destruction and displacement.
Satellite images have shown extensive destruction in Gaza City, and humanitarian organizations have warned of a looming humanitarian crisis.
The Qatar Prime Minister has slammed Netanyahu, calling Israel’s strike on Doha “state terror”. The international community is increasingly divided over the issue, with some countries backing Palestinian statehood while others continue to support Israel.
In this context, the role of international organizations and human rights groups is crucial. They must continue to pressure Israel to adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law and call for a permanent ceasefire to end Israel’s bombing of Gaza.
The United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council have a critical role to play in addressing the ongoing crisis and finding a solution that respects the rights and dignity of all parties involved.
From a human rights perspective, Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza can be seen as a blatant disregard for international law and Palestinian dignity.
The forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians, mass arrests, and destruction of property are all indicative of a systemic effort to subjugate and dominate the Palestinian population.
This perspective argues that Israel’s settlement expansion plans and military operations are designed to entrench its control over Palestinian land and resources, effectively denying Palestinians their right to self-determination and statehood.
In contrast, from a security perspective, Israel’s actions can be viewed as a necessary measure to protect its citizens from Palestinian militancy and terrorism.
Proponents of this view argue that Israel’s military operations in the occupied West Bank are aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure and preventing attacks on Israeli civilians.
They see the settlement expansion plans as a legitimate expression of Israeli sovereignty and a means of ensuring the country’s long-term security.
This perspective emphasizes the need for Israel to maintain a strong military presence in the West Bank to prevent the resurgence of militancy and protect its citizens.