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Escalation of violence in West Bank
Within the context of the West Bank, Palestinians are constantly exposed to violence, which results in new injuries, long-term impairments and disabilities, and mental health challenges related to adverse experiences.
Since the 7th of October, the alarming rise of violence in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) is confirmed by the number of Palestinians killed during Israeli Forces search-and-arrest operations, punitive demolitions, demonstrations, displacements, and settler violence. Since October 7, 2023, OCHA has documented 774 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians, resulting in 78 incidents of Palestinian casualties, 608 incidents of damage to Palestinian-owned property, and 88 incidents involving both casualties and damage to property1. Since October 7, these incidents have escalated to an average of 7 per day, representing the highest daily average of settler-related incidents impacting Palestinians since 2006, when the UN began recording such data2. On 12 April 2024, a settler attack in Al Al Mughayyir village, in Ramallah governorate, has caused the displacement of 86 Palestinians when 21 houses were fully burnt by Israeli settlers, and damage to about 32 vehicles and several livelihood, agricultural and WASH structures3. Since 7 October, around 1,700 Palestinians have been displaced in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem by home demolitions, for lacking building permits, or during operations by Israeli forces4.Moreover, between 7 October 2023 and 3 April, at least 206 Palestinian households comprising restrictions.
Since 7 October and as of 17 April, 451 Palestinians, including 112 children, have been killed by Israeli forces across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, of whom 435 were killed by Israeli forces, ten by Israeli settlers and six by either Israeli forces or settlers. Four additional Palestinians from the West Bank have been killed while perpetrating attacks in Israel. During the same period, some 4,890 Palestinians have been injured6 Israeli authorities have heavily restricted the movement of Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. They have blocked most entrances to Palestinian villages and towns, preventing vehicles from entering. Additionally, they have isolated Palestinian cities and towns from main roads by using road gates, earth mounds, concrete roadblocks, and flying checkpoints at major road junctions. These measures, coupled with the large presence of Israeli forces and armed settlers on roads, have severely limited Palestinians' ability to move around and access services. In many parts of the occupied West Bank, shops are shut, streets are deserted, and communities are cut off, closing businesses and starving parts of the region of economic activity7.
Loss of homes and livelihoods can lead to increased poverty and vulnerability, making it difficult for individuals to access health and physical rehabilitation services and rebuild their lives. The psychological impact of losing a home and community can also be profound, leaving a long-term impact on mental health and well-being.
“Before the 7th of October, we were already grappling with constant incursions into the city, but the situation escalated dramatically afterward. The civilian infrastructure has been destroyed, and local authorities are unable to repair it due to the ongoing incursions. Even if some infrastructure is repaired, the constant raids damage the roads again. The area where our centre is, which has been under incursion five or six times, has seen its infrastructure destroyed, making it inaccessible for the injured and persons with disabilities. While local authorities have tried to open substitute primitive roads, persons with disabilities still struggle on these paths.” – Dr. Hisham, Member of the Board of Directors at Al-Jaleel Society for Care and Rehabilitation