The UN on Friday raised concerns over Israel’s prolonged military operations in the occupied West Bank, calling it the longest since the early 2000s.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric cited UN data showing 34 settler violence incidents between February 11 and 17—an average of five per day.
“In one case, Israeli settlers severed water pipes in Tulkarm, affecting Palestinian farmers,” he said, adding that nearly 40 Palestinians in Bethlehem were displaced after repeated attacks.
According to the UN, nearly 2,300 Palestinians, including 1,100 children, have been displaced since 2023 due to settler violence and access restrictions.
For nearly two months, Israeli forces have targeted refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas, intensifying tensions in the region.
On Friday, the Israeli military deployed three more battalions to the West Bank after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a “strong operation.”
