DaysofPal- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has raised alarm over the escalating crisis in the occupied West Bank, warning that the region is increasingly becoming a “battlefield” amid a large-scale military operation by the Israeli occupation forces.
In a post on the X platform on Wednesday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described the situation in the West Bank as a “worrying extension of the war in Gaza.”
He highlighted the mounting toll on Palestinian civilians, with more than 50 Palestinians killed since the beginning of this year.
Lazzarini emphasized the systematic destruction of public infrastructure, including the bulldozing of roads and severe restrictions on access, which have become routine practices.
“People’s lives have been turned upside down, bringing back trauma and loss,” he stated, noting that approximately 40,000 individuals—many from refugee camps in the north—have been forcibly displaced.
The commissioner also drew attention to the disruption of essential services, pointing out that over 5,000 children have been deprived of education for more than 10 weeks due to the destruction of Palestinian camps.
Additionally, patients are unable to access healthcare, families lack basic necessities like water and electricity, and an increasing number of people now depend on humanitarian aid.
However, relief organizations, already overstretched, face a critical shortage of resources.
Largest Military Operation in Nearly Two Decades
The Israeli occupation army launched its largest and longest military operation in the northern West Bank over a month ago. Last Sunday, the occupation forces announced they had expelled tens of thousands of Palestinians from three refugee camps in the area, barring them from returning to their homes.
Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation army and settlers have intensified attacks across the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. According to official Palestinian data, these operations have resulted in the deaths of more than 915 Palestinians, injuries to around 7,000 others, and the arrest of 14,500 individuals.
Humanitarian Appeal
Lazzarini’s statement underscores the dire humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict, calling for urgent international action to address the growing needs of affected communities. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the burden on humanitarian organizations grows heavier, highlighting the urgent need for sustained support and intervention to alleviate suffering in the region.
This alarming escalation raises concerns about the long-term impact on civilian life and infrastructure, further complicating prospects for peace and stability in the occupied territories.
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