Statement on the Israeli Assault on the West Bank
As of today, the Israeli military is in its eighth consecutive day of intensive raids across the West Bank. The raids have affected several cities and refugee camps in Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus and Ramallah. The actions of the Israeli occupation in the West Bank involved significant violations of international humanitarian law, leaving cities and neighbourhoods heavily damaged, displacing communities, and mass arresting Palestinians.
These actions, justified by Israel as preventive measures, constitute blatant violations of international law, including Article 49 of the Geneva Convention and the 2024 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling. The ICJ unequivocally reaffirmed the illegality of Israel’s occupation and settlement activities, demanding an immediate cessation and the evacuation of settlers.
Jenin, a city of 50,000 inhabitants, has been the focus of the occupation’s aggressions. Since August 28th, hundreds of Israeli ground troops, supported by bulldozers, armoured vehicles, fighter jets, and drones, have launched a devastating assault on Jenin’s civilian infrastructure. At least 33 Palestinians have been killed, and 130 others injured in this ongoing military operation. The IDF has bulldozed nearly 70% of Jenin’s streets, destroyed 20 km of water and sewage networks, and left 80% of the Jenin refugee camp without access to water. Heavily armed IDF soldiers have blocked access to hospitals with dirt barriers, preventing critical medical care. Witnesses have reported extensive raids, arbitrary detentions, and the use of torture on civilians. Furthermore, journalists and ambulance crews have been deliberately targeted.
The forced displacement of residents from Jenin’s refugee camp, particularly in the al-Jabriyat and Abdullah Azzam neighborhoods, as well as ad-Damj, al-Suha, al-Faluja, and most recently, the village of Muthalath al-Shuhada, south of Jenin, is a clear violation of international human rights. The occupation has also arrested hundreds of Palestinians since the beginning of their operations in late August, including children and former prisoners.
ACHRS strongly condemns the Israeli government’s flagrant disregard for International Law and the ICJ’s recent ruling on their activities in the West Bank. We urgently call for the deployment of an international protection force, in agreement with the Palestinian authorities, to halt the ongoing massacres, destruction, and forced displacements. ACHRS reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire and urges the international community to take decisive action in defending the basic human rights of Palestinians.
