Human Rights Office: Israeli and settlement operations in the West Bank threaten to undermine the existence of a Palestinian state

Commission spokesman Thameen Al-Khitan said at the bi-weekly press conference of United Nations agencies in Geneva that, on January 12, Israeli security forces launched a campaign in occupied East Jerusalem, which included at least two major operations targeting two Palestinian communities.

He said that in the Shuafat refugee camp, forces raided dozens of homes and shops, arrested at least 25 Palestinians, confiscated goods, and seized 10 private vehicles. He added that in another large-scale operation targeting the Kafr Aqab neighborhood and the vicinity of the Qalandia refugee camp, it was reported that Israeli security forces demolished 70 Palestinian buildings. Al-Khitan said: “This appears to be a prelude to major settlement projects in the region.”.

Forced displacement

Al-Khitan said that since January 23, Israeli authorities have issued evacuation orders for 22 Palestinian homes in the Islamic Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem and in the Al-Bustan and Batn Al-Hawa areas in Silwan.

He explained that this is in addition to the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians throughout the occupied West Bank since last year, including during the Israeli military operation called the “Iron Wall” since last year, which targeted three refugee camps.

And he said: “The illegal deportation or transfer of a population living under occupation is a war crime and, in certain specified circumstances, may constitute a crime against humanity.”.

He warned that ongoing, unabated violence by Israeli settlers – with the support and participation of Israeli security forces – as well as restrictions on movement, is accelerating the forced displacement of Palestinians.

He pointed out that at the same time, “Israeli settlements continue to expand at a pace we have never seen before, in violation of international law.”.

Killing with impunity

A spokesman for the High Commissioner for Human Rights said: “The killing of Palestinians continues with complete impunity.”.

He added that from October 7, 2023 until February 5, 2026, the Commission verified that Israeli forces and settlers killed 1,054 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. 12 Palestinians were killed inside Israel. He also noted that during the same period, 62 Israelis were reportedly killed in attacks carried out by Palestinians or in armed clashes in both the West Bank and Israel.

He stated that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasizes the necessity of achieving accountability and justice for all victims of extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations.

Al-Khitan said that countries must act immediately to stop Israel’s violent expansion into illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

He added: “Further settlement expansion will only lead to entrenching apartheid against the Palestinian people, disrupting the geographical and demographic contiguity of their land, and slowing down the realization of their right to self-determination.”.