Red Cross: Violence and settlement make life in the West Bank unbearable for civilians

The International Committee of the Red Cross called for urgent protection for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, warning that violence, restrictions, and accelerating Israeli settlement are making their lives unbearable. It stated that dozens have been killed and hundreds wounded this year, many have been displaced, and property has been damaged. The head of the mission called on the occupation authorities to fulfill their responsibilities to protect civilians and respect international law.

The International Committee of the Red Cross called on Tuesday for urgent protection for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, warning that violence, restrictions, and accelerating Israeli settlement are causing severe harm and making their lives "unbearable." The committee stated in a press release that dozens of Palestinians have been killed by occupation forces and settlers, and hundreds wounded this year, while many have been displaced, and homes and property have been damaged or destroyed, leaving families without shelter or livelihood. The head of the ICRC mission in Israel and the occupied territories, Julien Lerisson, said: "There must be an end to the repeated and severe acts of violence." He added that the occupation authorities have a responsibility to protect the population from settler violence, alongside respecting international humanitarian law, protecting public and private property, and ensuring citizens' access to basic services. He continued that "the humanitarian impact of the violence, including tragic loss of life and serious injuries, is immense and overwhelming." He stressed that movement restrictions prevent patients from accessing healthcare and children from attending school, and isolate people from their homes and livelihoods. He noted that ambulances are sometimes delayed for hours at checkpoints and barriers. Lerisson affirmed that the occupying power is obligated to treat protected persons humanely at all times.