As the world's attention remains fixed on the brutal bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces over the past two weeks, a parallel and deeply concerning crisis has unfolded in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. The violence in these regions, while not grabbing the same headlines as the Gaza conflict, is escalating and has resulted in the loss of many Palestinian lives.
The latest conflict was ignited on October 7, when fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian armed resistance movement governing the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack just outside the besieged enclave, leading to Israel's deadliest assault on Gaza to date. The Gaza Strip has witnessed the death of over 3,500 Palestinians, including more than 1,000 children, in this tragic episode.
But the consequences of this escalation have not been confined to Gaza alone. The occupied West Bank, home to more than three million Palestinians, has also seen a sharp increase in violence. Israeli forces have intensified their daily raids into Palestinian neighborhoods, villages, and cities. Moreover, the number of Palestinians killed by armed settlers has also risen significantly.
In the two years leading up to the recent events, Israeli forces had already been responsible for an average of one Palestinian death per day in the occupied West Bank. However, since the latest escalation, this number has increased drastically. At least 76 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and Jerusalem, with eight of them losing their lives due to confrontations with armed settlers.
The situation is further exacerbated by Israeli army raids into Palestinian cities and villages in the West Bank, leading to confrontations and protests against the bombing of Gaza. Tensions are also rising with the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has limited administrative control over a portion of the occupied West Bank and is viewed by many as an enforcer of Israeli policies.
This unfolding crisis in the West Bank and Jerusalem is indicative of the broader complexities and challenges facing the Palestinian territories. As the international community focuses on the Gaza Strip, it is vital to recognize the impact of these events on the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem, who continue to endure violence, loss, and uncertainty as the conflict shows no signs of abating.