The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday deemed it “inconceivable” that more than 500 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 7.
During the same period, 24 Israelis, including eight members of the Israeli security forces, were killed in the West Bank and Israel in clashes or suspected attacks by West Bank Palestinians, he also said. indicated in a press release.
The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has experienced an upsurge in violence since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7 in Gaza.
According to Palestinian officials, at least 522 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers since the start of this war.
“As if the tragic events in Israel and then Gaza over the past eight months were not enough, the population of the occupied West Bank is also subjected, day after day, to unprecedented bloodshed. It is inconceivable that so many lives were taken in such a wanton manner,” underlined Volker Türk.
1er In June, he said, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian teenager and seriously injured another near the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp, near the city of Jericho, adding that the second youth died the following day.
“Their deaths, along with those of four other Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces on Monday, bring to 505 the number of Palestinians killed since October 7, according to information assessed by the United Nations Human Rights Office” , he detailed, asking that responsibilities be established.
According to Palestinian officials, at least 522 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli soldiers or settlers since the start of this war.
“The killing, destruction and widespread human rights violations are unacceptable and must stop immediately,” demanded the High Commissioner, calling on Israel to “adopt but also apply rules of engagement” fully consistent with human rights standards. humans.
The war was triggered by the unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on October 7 on Israeli soil which resulted in the death of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official figures. Israelis.
Of the 251 people taken as hostages that day, 120 are still detained in Gaza, of whom 41 are dead, according to the Israeli army.
In response, Israel, which has vowed to annihilate Hamas, launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip that has so far killed 36,479 people, according to figures from the Gaza government’s Health Ministry. Hamas administration.