Israel set to intensify deadly violence in occupied West Bank

Israel is planning to escalate its deadly military offensive in the illegally occupied West Bank, as Shin Bet security chief Ronen Bar urges the government to approve a major escalation in operation despite ongoing violence against Palestinians by both military forces and illegal settlers.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bar reportedly warned of what he termed “escalating trends” in the territory, arguing that “Israel should learn from October 7” and called for a “broad, reality-changing move” to eliminate the Palestinian resistance in the occupied territory.

While Israel seeks to escalate its lethal aggression on Palestinians, neither the security services of the occupation state and the Palestinian Authority (PA) have acted to stop the violence perpetrated by illegal settlers. The Israeli army instead is widely viewed as actively aiding settler attacks and carrying out pogroms against Palestinian communities.

READ: Israel settler violence in West Bank has caused ‘largest forcible transfer’ of Palestinians since 7 October – rights group

Human rights organisations have documented numerous cases where Israeli occupation soldiers not only failed to prevent settler violence but provided armed protection to settlers during pogrom-style attacks on Palestinian villages, including the burning of homes, destruction of agricultural land and violent assaults on civilians.

The UN reported that between 7 October 2023 and 21 October 2024, 732 Palestinians were killed in the occupied West Bank. According to UNICEF, on average, one Palestinian child was killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, every two days since October 2023, a nearly three-and-a-half-fold increase from the previous nine months.

The violence has been particularly intense in areas around Nablus and Jenin, where Israeli forces have conducted near-daily raids. The military has also arrested approximately 6,000 Palestinians.

The intensification of deadly military operations coincides with the PA launching its own controversial operation in Jenin refugee camp, reportedly arresting 247 suspects and defusing 245 explosive devices. The PA’s operation has been criticised by Palestinians as coordinating with Israeli objectives while failing to protect civilians from increasing settler violence.

The planned escalation has raised concerns among human rights organisations about the potential for increased civilian casualties in what is already the deadliest period for West Bank Palestinians in decades.