Guterres deeply concerned over Israeli settler violence in West Bank
France’s PM resigns prior to expected cabinet reshuffle
The UN chief, Antonio Guterres, expressed deep concern on February 24th over the increasing violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and the calls for annexation, following Israel’s announcement of expanded military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory, Asharq Al-Awsat via AFP reported.
On February 23rd, Israel said that its troops would remain stationed for several months in refugee camps within the occupied West Bank.Â
The intensifying military campaign has displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians residing in these areas.
“I am gravely concerned by the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and other violations, as well as calls for annexation,” said Antonio Guterres, addressing the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
In January 2025, the military launched a significant operation targeting Palestinian gunmen in the northern West Bank, shortly after a ceasefire took effect in the Gaza Strip, a separate Palestinian territory.
The offensive in the West Bank has progressively widened, affecting several refugee camps near the cities of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas.
Additionally, on February 23rd, Israel’s military confirmed the deployment of tanks in Jenin, where it was “expanding” operations.
This is the first instance of tanks being used in the West Bank since the conclusion of the second Palestinian intifada in 2005.
Since the onset of the Gaza war following Hamas’s lethal attack inside Israel on October 7th 2023—violence in the West Bank has escalated significantly.
On February 24th, Guterres underscored the significance of maintaining the fragile ceasefire that has been in place in Gaza since January 19th.
“We are witnessing a precarious ceasefire. We must avoid at all costs a resumption of hostilities. The people in Gaza have already suffered too much,” Guterres said.
Guterres added: “It’s time for a permanent ceasefire, the dignified release of all remaining hostages, irreversible progress towards a two-state solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with Gaza as an integral part.”
Asharq Al-Awsat via AFP
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