The West Bank has been under a militarized occupation for many decades. Since October 7th, 2023, and separate from the restrictions and incursions by the Israeli military, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes that Palestinians have been subjected to more than 1800 incidents of violence inflicted by settlers who operate with impunity.

3.3 million Palestinians reside in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and they must navigate daily life with obstacles designed to impact access and movement, with Ramallah, Hebron, and Nablus governorates alone having a combined 399 movement restrictions. They also must live under the threat of 700,000 Israeli settlers, many heavily armed, who occupy 350 settlements established in contravention of international law.

Today, even as the displaced in Gaza return to the rubble of their homes with sorrowful hearts, as they dig for and bury their dead, according to UN spokesperson Farhan Haq, the West Bank is being subjected to increased assaults. Scenes from the West Bank are reminiscent of the early days of the attacks on Gaza: families displaced, medical personnel threatened, ambulances prevented from accessing the injured or reaching hospitals, homes and vehicles burnt, basic services of water and electricity disrupted, and an entire population terrified. The holy city of Bethlehem is under siege, and given the increased restrictions, the rest of the West Bank is facing a similar reality.

These maneuvers are terrifyingly reminiscent of the earliest days of the attack on Gaza.  

We are doing our utmost to regroup with our staff on the ground and our partners putting our emergency preparedness strategies in place. Your support of UPA’s Emergency Relief Program will enhance our ability to deal with the outcome of what could turn out to be a new wave of Israeli violence against a different part of Palestine.