Escalating Violence and Settler Attacks in the West Bank

Palestine’s West Bank is currently in the midst of escalating Israeli violence and unrest, marking a volatile new chapter in the decades-long occupation of Palestinian land. Israeli military operations, settler attacks and aggressive expansion of illegal settlements have intensified, leading to a severe deterioration of living conditions for all Palestinians.

This week, Israel launched its largest military operation in the West Bank since 2002, targeting the Jenin and Tulkarem areas. The offensive involved airstrikes and raids on densely populated civilian areas. Palestinian health officials report numerous casualties, with hospitals currently surrounded by Israeli forces and access to medical facilities severely restricted. This recent attack and invasion on Palestinian land in the West Bank is a continuation of Israeli military operations and strategy that has escalated since the beginning of the war on Gaza.

Since early August, Israeli forces have increased attacks across the occupied West Bank, killing over two dozen Palestinians, including civilians and making numerous arrests. These raids are part of a broader strategy to suppress Palestinian national aspirations and annex land.

Simultaneously, Israeli settlers are increasingly emboldened, launching violent attacks against Palestinian communities. These settlers, who often act with impunity, have terrorized Palestinian farmers, destroyed crops and attacked villages.

In one such incident this month, a group of more than 100 Israeli settlers attacked the Palestinian town of Jit, in Qalqilya Governorate. The armed settlers set cars and houses ablaze, as residents fled for their lives, and gunned down a young man, killing him, and critically wounding another Palestinian.

This month, Israeli authorities approved construction of a new illegal settlement near Bethlehem, in an area recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Despite widespread condemnation from the international community, the Israeli government continues to push forward with these illegal settlements.

The largest land seizure in the West Bank in three decades has added to the mounting tensions. The Israeli government recently announced plans to confiscate over 12 square kilometers of Palestinian land, sparking outrage among local communities and the international community alike. This mass land grab is part of Israel’s ongoing settlement expansion, which defies international law and deepens the hardships faced by Palestinians.

The cumulative impact of these events has been devastating for Palestinians in the West Bank. Homes have been destroyed, livelihoods disrupted, and the constant threat of violence looms over daily life.

Since October, Israeli forces have killed 622 Palestinians in the West Bank, including 145 women and children, and injured more than 5,600 individuals. The number of Palestinian children killed by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces in the West Bank (115) has nearly tripled.

As violence intensifies, the humanitarian toll grows. Displacement, food insecurity, and the lack of access to medical services are all pressing concerns. Palestinian leaders are calling for international intervention, but the path to some semblance of peace remains unclear amidst the ongoing aggression and settlement expansion.

Snapshot of the Current Humanitarian Situation

West Bank Casualties: (Source: Palestine MoH, UNOCHA)

• Killed: At least 652 people, including more than 147 children.
• Injured: Over 5,400 individuals.

Humanitarian Developments: (Source UNOCHA)

• Child Casualties: The number of Palestinian children killed by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces has nearly tripled since October 7, rising from 39 to 115. The number of injured children has more than doubled, increasing from 615 to 1,411.
• Settler Violence: Israeli settlers have carried out 25 attacks against Palestinians during the reporting period, resulting in six injuries and property damage. From October 7, 2023, to August 12, 2024, there have been approximately 1,250 attacks by Israeli settlers, causing over 120 fatalities and injuries, and significant property damage.
• Demolitions and Displacements: Between January 1 and August 12, 2024, Israeli authorities demolished 750 structures and displaced 963 people due to a lack of building permits. Since October 7, 2023, there have been 1,380 demolitions, displacing over 3,100 Palestinians, including 1,375 children.

Key Incidents:

• August 6-12, 2024: Israeli forces killed five Palestinians and injured 54 others, including 11 children. Settler violence and demolitions have continued to impact communities across the West Bank.
• Significant Attacks: On August 12, a Palestinian man was killed after an attack on an Israeli settler in Qalqilya, highlighting ongoing tensions and violence in the region.

West Bank Situation Impact on Anera Staff and Programs

Anera’s staff continue to deliver humanitarian aid and run essential programs amid the escalating violence and instability in the West Bank. All of our staff come from the communities they serve, meaning they face the same challenges as the broader population. When roads are blocked or closed due to Israeli military actions or settler violence, our staff’s ability to move freely is severely restricted. This directly hinders the delivery of critical services and supplies, making it difficult to reach communities with essential education and health programs, as well as food, medicine and clothing.

Anera’s medical donations warehouse, situated just a few kilometers south of Hebron, is sometimes unreachable because of these road closures and ongoing military operations. As the situation deteriorated over the last few years, Anera staff made the decision to relocate the warehouse to Dura, a few kilometers south of Hebron. This strategic move ensures that our regional project officer for product donations, who resides in the area, can access the warehouse and continue our mission of delivering aid to those who need it most. Despite the obstacles, Anera’s product donations team continues to deliver medicine and medical supplies to medical facilities in the West Bank. These efforts also extend to Gaza, where Anera’s humanitarian response remains crucial in supporting the healthcare of displaced families and individuals amid the on-going war.

Anera staff unload medical aid from our Hebron area distribution center | August 2024.

For staff who live close to northern West Bank cities and towns, road closures and major Israeli military operations have posed a serious risk to safety as well as a hindrance to their work. Much of Anera’s education programs take place in the northern West Bank and the current situation has made it difficult for staff to travel and carry out their activities. But their work never stops. Years of building strong relationships with local communities andlocal authorities have empowered these communities to take the lead in implementing Anera’s educational programs. This partnership driven approach has strengthened the resilience and sustainability of Anera’s educational programs across the West Bank at this moment.

Jerusalem, often a flashpoint, has been tense since the start of the war in October. At the moment, Anera staff who live in the Jerusalem area have reported that most roads remain open, but there is a heavy presence of Israeli military personnel and police – especially in and around the Old City. Israeli military escalations in the West Bank have severed Anera’s Jerusalem office from staff who live and work out of West Bank offices. These disruptions create significant logistical challenges, further complicating the delivery of essential services and the coordination of humanitarian efforts across the region.

Despite these challenges, Anera’s dedicated team in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, continue to deliver essential humanitarian services and supplies to Palestinian communities, while providing crucial logistical support for our operations in Gaza. In the face of escalating violence, restricted movement, and daily uncertainty, their commitment never wavers. And like them, Anera’s community of supporters remain steadfast, continuing to make our work possible, helping to ensure that humanitarian aid and services reaches those who need it most.