UN and ICRC Warn of Escalating West Bank Violence

The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have issued urgent warnings regarding escalating instability and violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In a September 28 briefing to the Security Council, Acting Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov reported that Israeli authorities advanced or approved over 8,000 housing units across the West Bank and East Jerusalem between June and September 2026. The UN documented 630 settler attacks during this period, resulting in 11 Palestinian deaths and the displacement of 343 people.

Following the UN report, the ICRC declared on September 29 that living conditions for Palestinian civilians in the West Bank have become intolerable. Julien Lerisson, head of the ICRC delegation, highlighted that movement restrictions, including checkpoints and roadblocks, are delaying ambulances and preventing children from reaching schools. The ICRC reported that dozens of Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured this year due to violence and the destruction of property.

While acknowledging security concerns, the ICRC emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated under international humanitarian law to treat Palestinians humanely and protect them from violence, including attacks by settlers. Meanwhile, the UN noted that the ceasefire in Gaza remains extremely fragile due to ongoing Israeli military operations, including shelling and airstrikes in densely populated areas.