A Palestinian child has died from injuries sustained during an Israeli military raid in the Askar refugee camp in Nablus, marking the latest instance of violence against civilians in the occupied West Bank.
The raid comes amid a fragile Gaza ceasefire, which has provided little relief for Palestinians across the region.
Military Operations and Arrests
Israeli forces also conducted operations in Aqaba, Hebron, and Tal, making multiple arrests. Over the past week, the Israeli army detained 44 Palestinians, confiscated weapons, and conducted interrogations.
Last week, 10-year-old Mohammad al-Hallaq was shot and killed while playing football in ar-Rihiya, Hebron.
According to the United Nations, since October 7, 2023, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including 206 boys, seven girls, 20 women, and at least seven people with disabilities. These figures do not include Palestinians who have died in Israeli detention.
Surge in Settler Violence
Meanwhile, Israeli settlers have increasingly attacked Palestinians near Ramallah, destroying property and vehicles with apparent impunity and often under military protection.
- In Deir Dibwan, settlers set fire to multiple vehicles at dawn.
- In Turmus Aya, a 53-year-old Palestinian woman, Afaf Abu Alia, suffered a brain hemorrhage after being assaulted by settlers while harvesting olives. Witnesses reported that dozens of settlers were involved, protected by the army.
Over the past two years, UN data shows nearly 3,000 settler attacks in the West Bank.
UN and Humanitarian Response
The UNRWA said the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has seen a sharp escalation in violence since October 7, 2023. The agency condemned the illegal expansion of Israeli settlements as a gross violation of international law.
US Reacts to Annexation Threat
Following a vote in the Israeli parliament advancing a bill to formalize annexation of the West Bank, senior US officials have firmly opposed the move:
- President Donald Trump: “Israel is not going to do anything with the West Bank… It won’t happen because I gave my word to the Arab countries.”
- Vice President JD Vance: Called the parliamentary motion a “very stupid political stunt.”
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Supports Gaza ceasefire and opposes annexation.
Key Takeaways
- Palestinian child killed in Nablus during Israeli military raid.
- Settler violence near Ramallah continues to escalate.
- UN reports over 1,000 Palestinians killed in West Bank since October 2023, including hundreds of children.
- US officials strongly oppose formal annexation of the West Bank by Israel.
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