UN report warns of ‘rapidly deteriorating’ human rights situation in West Bank

ANKARA (AA) – The UN human rights office has warned of a “rapidly deteriorating” human rights situation in the occupied West Bank.

In its flash report, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Israel to “end unlawful killings and settler violence” against the Palestinian population.

“The report calls for an immediate end to the use of military weapons and means during law enforcement operations, an end to arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of Palestinians, and the lifting of discriminatory movement restrictions,” said the UN human rights office in a statement.

According to the report, 300 Palestinians, including 79 children, were killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem between October 7 and December 27.

“Of these, Israeli security forces killed at least 291 Palestinians, settlers killed eight, and one Palestinian was killed either by Israeli security forces or settlers,” it detailed.

UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, denounced the “use of military tactics means and weapons in law enforcement contexts” as well as the use of “disproportionate force,” his office said in the statement.

Turk called on Israel to “take immediate, clear and effective steps to put an end to settler violence” and to “investigate all incidents of violence by settlers and Israeli security forces.”

Over 4,700 Palestinians, including nearly 40 journalists, were arrested by Israeli security forces in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and were ill-treated with blindfolds, handcuffs, physical violence, insults and other means, according to the report.

“The dehumanization of Palestinians that characterizes many of the settlers’ actions is very disturbing and must cease immediately. Israeli authorities should strongly censure and prevent settler violence and prosecute both its instigators and perpetrators,” Turk said.

The report said that Israeli authorities have imposed severe and systematic restrictions on Palestinians’ movement across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since October 7.

“The report reiterates our calls for a halt to measures that lead to the creation of a coercive environment and concerns regarding forcible transfer, in addition to the continued lack of accountability for settler and Israeli security forces violence,” Turk added, as he urged Israel to grant the UN Human Rights Office access to the country.