Fatal Attacks on the Rise in the West Bank Amid Escalating Violence
In recent days, the West Bank has witnessed a surge in fatal attacks, signaling a worsening cycle of violence. On Sunday alone, five Palestinians lost their lives in separate incidents, including two who were killed in an airstrike on a mosque in the volatile Jenin refugee camp. Israel claimed that the mosque was being utilized by militants, prompting the airstrike. Last week, another airstrike took place during a battle in a different West Bank refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of 13 Palestinians, including five minors, and a member of Israel’s paramilitary Border Police.
It is worth noting that Israel rarely employs air power in the occupied West Bank, reserving such tactics for its ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Since the start of the war, over 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, primarily civilians falling victim to the initial assault by Hamas. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza reports that the death toll among Palestinians has exceeded 4,300.
Conversely, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank, 90 Palestinians have been killed since October 7, a significant increase compared to the 197 deaths recorded prior to the Hamas attack. The casualties include individuals who perished during violent anti-Israel protests and attacks by Jewish settlers. Israeli forces have responded to the violence by detaining over 700 suspects in the West Bank, including 480 Hamas members.
The resurgence of aerial attacks by Israel suggests a shift in military tactics. A spokesperson for the military indicated that the targeted Al-Ansar Mosque in Jenin was a militant compound belonging to both Hamas and Islamic Jihad, known for their involvement in numerous attacks and an upcoming assault.
The recent escalation of violence follows a year marked by increasing raids, arrests, and deadly Palestinian attacks on Israelis in the West Bank. Israel’s continued occupation of the West Bank, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem, since the 1967 war remains a point of contention. The Palestinians seek these territories for their future state. Moreover, the international community considers the presence of over 500,000 Israeli settlers in West Bank settlements illegal, heightening tensions further. Consequently, the settlements are viewed by Palestinians as the main obstacle to resolving the conflict with Israel.
Unfortunately, violence against Palestinians perpetrated by settlers has also intensified since the Hamas attack. Palestinian authorities report that at least five Palestinians have been killed by settlers, while settlers have targeted small Bedouin communities, forcing their evacuation. Over 470 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced due to settler violence since October 7, as reported by the West Bank Protection Consortium.
As the region grapples with these tragic developments, it is evident that a lasting solution remains elusive. The absence of substantive peace talks for over a decade has compounded the challenges and perpetuated the cycle of violence. Both sides seem increasingly entrenched in their positions, resulting in more lives lost and communities torn apart. The mounting casualties and injuries only emphasize the urgent need for renewed efforts towards a peaceful resolution.
