Israeli forces' lethal tactics in occupied West Bank 'exceed law enforcement standards,' UN warns

HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Friday reported an escalation of Israeli army's actions in the occupied West Bank, warning that it seems to "exceed law enforcement standards."

Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN deputy spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay said at a news conference that "multiple operations by Israeli forces in the north this week included air strikes and other lethal war-like tactics, which appear to exceed law enforcement standards."

"According to initial information, eight Palestinians were killed and four others injured during Tuesday’s operations in Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarm," she added.

Meanwhile, Tremblay reported that from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4, "Israeli settlers carried out 35 attacks against Palestinians that caused casualties or property damage, including olive trees that were vandalized."

She further noted a rising trend of violence associated with the olive harvest season, with 177 documented incidents since Oct. 1 across 73 West Bank communities, most causing casualties or property destruction.

Expressing concern over increasing barriers to health care, Tremblay said: "Israeli forces and movement restrictions have made access to health care across the West Bank increasingly challenging since October of last year, particularly in refugee camps and Area C."