Summary
- The United Nations has raised serious concerns about possible “ethnic cleansing” in the Israeli-occupied West Bank after an Israeli military operation in Hebron reportedly forced thousands of Palestinians to leave their homes.
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the Israeli operation had resulted in the forced displacement of thousands of Palestinians destruction of property and severe restrictions on residents’ freedom of movement.
- Türk also warned that collective punishment violates international law and said threats to empty entire neighbourhoods raised serious concerns of ethnic cleansing.
The United Nations has raised serious concerns about possible “ethnic cleansing” in the Israeli-occupied West Bank after an Israeli military operation in Hebron reportedly forced thousands of Palestinians to leave their homes.
According to the Hebron municipality 3,189 people had been displaced by the ongoing operation in the city the largest in the Palestinian territory. The campaign began after a deadly attack by two Palestinian gunmen near a checkpoint on Friday in which two Israeli soldiers were killed. The attackers were subsequently killed in a shootout.
Israeli troops entered Ein Deir Baha, the neighbourhood where the two attackers lived and ordered residents to leave their homes. The operation has reportedly involved restrictions on movement and the demolition of residential and commercial properties.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the Israeli operation had resulted in the forced displacement of thousands of Palestinians destruction of property and severe restrictions on residents’ freedom of movement.
Türk expressed concern that the measures could involve unnecessary and disproportionate force. He also said that statements by senior Israeli officials suggested the restrictions were punitive and intended to create fear among residents.
“The sweeping steps taken raise grave concerns of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force,” Türk said calling for the measures to end.
He stressed that displaced Palestinians must be allowed to return to their homes and that Israel should provide compensation and remedies for unlawful evictions demolitions and displacement. Türk also warned that collective punishment violates international law and said threats to empty entire neighbourhoods raised serious concerns of ethnic cleansing.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres separately voiced alarm over Israel’s actions in the West Bank while speaking in Cairo. He cited continuing evictions the displacement of Palestinians from their land and rising settler violence as signs of an increasingly coercive environment.
Guterres said the growing threat of ethnic cleansing must be addressed and emphasised that lasting peace in the Middle East would require recognition of the Palestinian people’s legitimate right to self-determination.
The developments have intensified international concerns over the humanitarian situation in the occupied West Bank particularly the impact of military operations and movement restrictions on Palestinian civilians.
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