“The continued loss of civilian life across the occupied West Bank is deeply alarming.
During the past week, the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank has resulted in continued civilian casualties, displacement, damage to property and heightened insecurity across affected communities. Palestinians continue to be killed and injured. Attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities, places of worship and civilian infrastructure continue unabated.
Reported attacks by Palestinians targeting Israelis, including shootings, arson, stone-throwing and other acts of violence, have also resulted in civilians being killed or injured, as well as damage to property.
Today’s violent incidents southwest of Nablus, which resulted in the killing of four Palestinians and two Israelis, injuries to several others, and extensive damage to Palestinian property, underscore the urgent need to protect civilians and prevent further escalation in the occupied West Bank.
Israel must take immediate steps to prevent settler violence, protect Palestinian communities, and ensure that those responsible for attacks are held accountable.
Palestinians must unequivocally reject violence and incitement and take immediate steps to prevent attacks against Israelis.
I reiterate that urgent steps are needed to reverse the dangerous trajectory in the occupied West Bank. There is no military or violent solution to this conflict. Only a political process that reunifies Gaza and the West Bank under a single legitimate Palestinian Government, addresses Israel’s legitimate security concerns, and advances the two-State solution in line with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions can deliver lasting peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”
[END].
