GENEVA, Feb 6 (KUNA) -- The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned Friday that recent Israeli occupation operations and settlement expansion plans in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem pose a "serious danger" to establishment of a Palestinian state and the Palestinians' self-determination.
This came during a press briefing in Geneva held by the spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan, who warned of an unprecedented escalation in demolition, forced displacement and violence in the West Bank.
He said that on 12 January Israeli occupation forces launched a large-scale campaign in occupied East Jerusalem including at least two major operations targeting Palestinian communities. The first in (Shu'fat) refugee camp involved raids on dozens of homes and shops with at least 25 Palestinians detained.
The second operation took place in (Kafr Aqab) and (Qalandiya) refugee camps where 70 Palestinian structures were demolished in steps "believed to pave the way for major settlement projects in the area." Al Kheetan also noted that on 23 January Israeli occupation authorities issued eviction orders for 22 Palestinian homes in the (Muslim Quarter) of Jerusalem's Old City as well as in (Al-Bustan) and (Batn Al Hawa) areas of (Silwan).
He warned that these actions come after a series of similar attacks over the past two months affecting hundreds of Palestinians who remain at risk of forced displacement in the wider (Silwan) area.
He also emphasized that the forcible transfer or illegal displacement of populations under occupation constitutes a war crime and under certain circumstances may amount to a crime against humanity.
Al Kheetan confirmed that these developments occur within a broader pattern of forced displacement affecting tens of thousands of Palestinians across the West Bank since last year including during the Israeli occupation military operation called "Iron Wall" which targeted three refugee camps.
More than 32,000 Palestinians from (Jenin Tulkarem and Nur Shams) refugee camps remain unable to return to their homes, many of which were destroyed during military operations.
He warned that continued violence by Israeli settlers supported and participated in by Israeli occupation forces alongside severe restrictions on movement is accelerating the pace of forced displacement. Meanwhile Israeli settlement expansion is continuing at an unprecedented rate, in violation of international law.
Al Kheetan also noted that in December Israeli occupation authorities issued permits for the construction of over 3,000 settlement units in the area between (East Jerusalem) (Ramallah) and (Bethlehem). That same month the Israeli occupation government reportedly decided to establish 19 new settlements including near refugee camps that were cleared in northern West Bank.
The spokesperson stressed that killings of Palestinians continue with near-total impunity confirming that the Office of the High Commissioner has verified that between 7 October 2023 and 5 February 2026 Israeli occupation forces and settlers killed 1,054 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem and an additional 12 Palestinians inside the Israeli occupation.
He underscored the urgent need for accountability and justice for all victims of unlawful killings and other human rights violations calling on states to act immediately to halt Israeli occupation expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank including East Jerusalem.
Al Kheetan stressed that continued expansion of settlements will only entrench the racial segregation against the Palestinian people and slow the realisation of their right to self-determination.
He reiterated that the multiple rulings by the International Court of Justice have been crystal clear, saying, "The settlement activities must stop, Israeli settlements must be evacuated and the Israeli unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territory must end".
He added that the High Commissioner calls again for an immediate end to the Israeli occupation. (end) imk.mt