Attachments
Remarks to the press- as delivered
Before speaking to you today about our latest report on the occupied West Bank, I would like to start with the tragic developments overnight in Gaza, where we are hearing reports of hundreds being killed, many of them civilians, in a wave of Israeli strikes.
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 326 Palestinians were killed, including many women and children. The Israeli military had already killed at least 106 Palestinians since the ceasefire started in January up to last night, mostly in and around “no-go” zones along the edges of Gaza.
The Israeli military reportedly hit residential buildings, schools and IDP camps - a trend that has been documented extensively by our Office since October 2023. We are again seeing the scenes of mutilated bodies of children, and bodies wrapped in shrouds. The Israeli military also issued a displacement order from several parts of Gaza- indicating a return to a pattern which led to the forced displacement of 90 per cent of the Palestinian population in Gaza, often several times. It is unacceptable, even unimaginable, to once again find ourselves talking about this instead of supporting a path towards meaningful recovery and sustainable peace.
The situation is compounded by the blockade on Gaza. For over two weeks now, Israel has closed all crossings and prevented the entry of humanitarian aid, fuel, and all other supplies. We are also concerned about reported plans to cut off the little that remains of the water supply. With no fuel, no electricity, and no aid, how can bakeries, water desalination plants, and other critical infrastructure operate? How long before all food runs out and we’re again facing hunger and starvation?
We once again remind Israel of its obligation to comply with international humanitarian law’s fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack. Any targeting of civilians not directly participating in hostilities is a war crime and must stop, immediately; the blockade of Gaza amounts to collective punishment and must stop, immediately; and the use of starvation as a weapon of war is a crime under international law.
Simply, this violence, and the killing must stop immediately. The hostages must be released. Those arbitrarily detained must also be freed.
Now to the report we are putting before you today, which points to another deeply concerning trajectory taking place in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Israel is taking serious and accelerated steps to annex more and more parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory in violation of international law.
In the West Bank, settlements are expanding at an alarming rate. This is coinciding with a series of legislative and policy steps that are increasingly allowing for land appropriation from Palestinians and further facilitating the extension of Israeli sovereignty and laws over the West Bank.
The rampant forcible displacement of Palestinians from their homes and lands in the West Bank further exacerbates the situation. We are witnessing a violent and ever-expanding Israeli operation that started last January in the northern parts of the West Bank, particularly Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas. This operation has so far killed 59 Palestinians, displaced tens of thousands, and emptied entire refugee camps.
Displacement is further fueled by continuously increasing home demolitions and evictions, settler violence that can no longer be separated from state violence, and daily appropriation of Palestinian land on alleged “security grounds” only to be later allocated to serve settlers.
We have a clear legal pathway to follow here, confirmed last year by the International Court of Justice. The occupation of the Palestinian territory must end as rapidly as possible, all Israeli settlers must be evacuated, and all settlement of this territory must cease immediately. The international community has a strong mandate to take meaningful action to prevent annexation and ensure Palestinians’ right to self-determination. Member States must act now.
ends