Following the violence initiated on October 7, 2023, by Hamas in Gaza, a grim reality has enveloped Palestinians residing in the West Bank. While the major focus globally has been on Gaza, Israeli military activities in the West Bank have increased substantially in size, frequency, and intensity. According to the Israeli forces, this enhanced operation is a response to what they identify as a heightened militant threat.
During this period of unrest, the number of Palestinian casualties inflicted by Israeli military actions in the West Bank has risen sharply. Many Palestinians have died as a result of military raids on towns and villages. Israel asserts that these missions are crucial to eliminating militancy. Numerous victims were militants perished during armed clashes or young people seen throwing stones or firebombs. However, Palestinians and various human rights organizations argue that many uninvolved civilians have also been killed. Since Hamas’s attack, at least 182 of those who died have been children under 18, with some reportedly involved in militant activities or stone-throwing. There are ongoing accusations from rights groups regarding Israel’s alleged excessive use of force.
In a significant military escalation, Israel launched a major offensive operation across four large refugee camps near the West Bank’s northern region. This dangerous and intense campaign forced 40,000 residents from their homes. As a result, many displaced individuals are now living with their relatives in neighboring villages, incurring debts to rent temporary accommodations until they can return. The Israeli government has stated that those displaced will not be permitted to return for at least one year. The Israeli military has further intensified these efforts by destroying roads, dismantling infrastructure, and demolishing hundreds of homes under the premise of breaking terrorist networks – a move that critics argue has also targeted ordinary homes.
There has been a noticeable surge in settler attacks causing injuries or fatalities among Palestinians. The Bedouin villages in the territories under full Israeli control have been particularly vulnerable, facing attacks almost daily. Emboldened settlers are reportedly establishing new unauthorized outposts on nearby hilltops. While the official Israeli stance condemns settler violence and attributes it to a minor extremist subgroup, Palestinians claim that the broader Israeli military effort fails to offer protection and that these attacks aim to forcibly remove them from their lands.
Since the conflict began, settlers have installed approximately 80 new outposts. These unauthorized sites, spearheaded by extremist groups, have become central sources of violence against Palestinians. Despite international criticism, these outposts receive tacit support from the Israeli government, which has historically converted many into legally recognized settlements, advancing its territorial claims and obstructing efforts towards a Palestinian state. Following the war outbreak, 13 new settlements have been approved, with five originally conceived as outposts, raising the total count of settlements to 140. While the international community has deemed this settlement expansion largely illegal, past U.S. support from leaders like President Donald Trump has been noted.
Meanwhile, travel throughout Palestinian regions is becoming increasingly restricted. The introduction of new checkpoints has further subdivided the areas and created choke points that the Israeli military can block as needed. Crossings previously open round the clock have begun closing during peak hours, significantly impacting hundreds of thousands of people who now face prolonged commutes. As tensions continue in Gaza and frustrations boil over in the West Bank, Palestinians report that their daily life grows increasingly burdensome.