The United Nations human rights office has called on Israeli security forces to immediately cease their active participation in and support for attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This statement follows a recent wave of settler attacks on Palestinian towns and villages, triggered by the killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy in what authorities believe was a militant attack. Since the attacks began on Friday, seven Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers, and another 75 have been wounded. Israeli authorities have urged against vigilante attacks as tensions rise, but rights groups have long accused Israeli forces of ignoring or participating in settler attacks.
Tensions in the region have escalated since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, when militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, backed by Iran, carried out a cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. In response, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza that has resulted in widespread devastation and over 33,800 deaths, according to local health officials. World leaders are urging Israel not to retaliate after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles over the weekend in an unprecedented mission that has brought the Middle East closer to a region-wide war. This attack came just days after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.
The latest developments include US Treasury Secretary Yellen warning of potential global economic spillovers due to Iran’s actions and the possibility of more sanctions. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have shut down airport highways and key bridges in major US cities, while an artist has refused to open the Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale until a cease-fire is achieved and hostages are released. Additionally, the US House speaker is moving toward a vote on aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. The Israeli military has displayed one of the Iranian ballistic missiles intercepted over the weekend, showcasing the coalition’s message to Iran and vowing a response.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called for the recognition of an independent Palestinian state, supporting a two-state solution in the Middle East. Turkish President Erdogan has accused Western nations of double standards for condemning Iran’s attacks on Israel but not addressing Israeli targeting of the Iranian consulate in Syria. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have called for an immediate cease-fire and continuous delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza, labeling the situation a humanitarian catastrophe. An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed a Hezbollah commander and wounded two others, leading to a retaliatory attack by Hezbollah on Israel’s Iron Dome units.
EasyJet has suspended flights to Israel until late October due to the ongoing situation, while German Foreign Minister Baerbock is heading to Israel to help de-escalate tensions and express support, urging against further escalation. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has emphasized the need for Israeli security forces to stop settler attacks on Palestinians, calling for the restoration of public order and safety in the occupied West Bank. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 33,800, with many women and children among the casualties, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to ravage the region. Iran has vowed to respond within seconds to any Israeli counter-strike, intensifying the risk of further escalation in the conflict.
