OHCHR: Deeply concerned about the use of unlawful lethal force in Jenin

At a press conference for United Nations agencies in Geneva on Friday, UNHCR spokesman Thameen Al-Khitan said that the deadly Israeli operations in recent days raise serious concerns about the unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including methods and means that have been developed to wage war, in violation of the law. International human rights, standards and rules applicable in law enforcement operations.

He explained that this includes multiple air strikes and seemingly indiscriminate shooting of unarmed residents trying to flee or seek safety. He stressed that “Israel, as the occupying power, bears the responsibility to protect the population in the territories it occupies.”.

He reiterated the assertion of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, that Israel must adopt and implement rules of engagement that are fully consistent with applicable human rights standards and rules.

Al-Khitan said “Our office has confirmed that at least 12 Palestinians have been killed and 40 others injured by Israeli security forces since Tuesday, most of whom were said to be unarmed. Among the injured are a doctor and two nurses, according to the Palestine Red Crescent.”.

Repeated killings

The Commission spokesman stressed that all killings in the context of law enforcement must be subject to comprehensive and independent investigation, and those responsible for unlawful killings must be held accountable.

Al-Khitan said: “Israel, by its continued failure over the years to hold accountable members of its security forces responsible for unlawful killings, is not only violating its obligations under international law, but also risks encouraging a recurrence of such killings.”.

He explained that after weeks of violence by Israeli and Palestinian security forces in Jenin, there were reports of the displacement of more than 3,000 families. Basic services such as water and electricity were also cut off for weeks. He added that Israeli security forces closed the entrances to major Palestinian cities such as Hebron, closed checkpoints, and began long and individual searches of vehicles in those that remained open.

He pointed out that this led to the isolation of thousands of Palestinians from neighboring communities and paralyzed daily activities, adding that there were reports of the installation of thirteen new iron gates at the entrances to other cities throughout the occupied West Bank.

A call to stop settlement expansion

The UN spokesman said that following the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza last week, settlers attacked Palestinian villages and threw stones at vehicles, wounding many Palestinians, and homes and vehicles were set on fire.

He also said: “We are also concerned about repeated comments by some Israeli officials about plans to further expand settlements, in a new violation of international law. We once again state that Israel’s transfer of its civilian population into the territories it occupies also constitutes a war crime.”.

He added that the High Commissioner for Human Rights calls on the Israeli authorities to stop all settlement expansion and evacuate all settlements instead, as soon as possible, as required by international law. He called for an immediate cessation of violence in the West Bank. He urged all parties, including other influential countries, to do everything in their power to ensure peace in the region.