Israel's Escalating Assault on the West Bank: Destroying Lives and Livelihoods

The Israeli army launched a major military assault on the occupied West Bank, deploying hundreds of soldiers, armored vehicles, bulldozers, drones, and fighter jets to destroy the armed resistance in the regions of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Tubas. At least 18 Palestinians have been killed, and scores injured, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz calling on the army to force Palestinians to evacuate the northern West Bank. The humanitarian term "evacuation" masks the reality of forced expulsion, raising fears that the West Bank will follow Gaza's fate of massive destruction and displacement.

Key Takeaways:

• The Israeli military has killed over 600 Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7, with 1,250 attacks by Jewish settlers recorded in the first 10 months of the war, resulting in the deaths or injuries of Palestinians in 120 attacks and property damage in 1,000 attacks.
• More than 1,200 Palestinians have been forced out of their homes by Jewish settlers, with over 3,000 displaced by the Israeli army demolishing Palestinian homes.
• Israel has accelerated the building of infrastructure on Palestinian land, with new road lanes being constructed on Road 60, further restricting Palestinian mobility.
• The number of Israeli checkpoints, roadblocks, and gates has increased from 200 in October to over 790 by early June, affecting all aspects of Palestinian lives, including the ability to go to university.
• Food prices have risen significantly since October 7, with the Palestinian economy severely damaged by the disruption of supply chains and the restriction of Palestinian access to resources.
• The Israeli colonial authorities have systematically undermined Palestinian agriculture, with settlers' attacks preventing farmers from cultivating their land and the diversion of water from Palestinian towns and villages to illegal Jewish settlements.
• The PA-run public sector employs 21 percent of the Palestinian workforce, yet Israel has withheld tax revenue, with the PA now only paying 40-60 percent of salaries.
• Over 200,000 workers have lost their jobs, with Tawhid, a worker, stating he has no other option but to sneak into Israel for work despite the risks.
• The poverty rate has risen to 60.7 percent, with families dependent on aid agencies due to the economic war.
• Israel's war on the Palestinians targets their mental wellbeing, with constant surveillance, harassment, and physical violence aiming to make Palestinians leave their homes.
• The Israeli colonial authorities have made Palestinians aware that they are being watched, with surveillance intensifying since October 7.
• Palestinians face nonstop physical harassment and violence, including settler terrorism and Israeli police brutality.

Statistics:

• Over 600 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since October 7
• 1,250 attacks by Jewish settlers in the first 10 months of the war
• 120 attacks resulting in the deaths or injuries of Palestinians
• 1,000 attacks resulting in property damage
• 1,200 Palestinians forced out of their homes by Jewish settlers
• 3,000 Palestinians displaced by the Israeli army demolishing homes
• 200,000 workers lost their jobs
• Poverty rate increased to 60.7 percent

Sources:

• United Nations: "Humanitarian Situation Update #21, West Bank" (no date)
• United Nations: "Humanitarian Situation Update #204, West Bank" (no date)
• ReliefWeb: "Aid agencies demand concrete action to protect Palestinians after number of Israeli settler attacks surpasses 1000" (no date)
• Al Jazeera: "Israel's war on West Bank: You cannot be a historian, you cannot be a lawyer, you cannot be a social media activist" (no date)