HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Friday warned of a surge in illegal Israeli settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, highlighting ongoing humanitarian disruptions in northern communities.

"Turning to the West Bank, our humanitarian colleagues warned that Israeli forces' operations in the northern area are intensifying, triggering a new displacement, movement restrictions, school closures, and service disruptions in communities already affected by the recurrent operation," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.

Dujarric said Israel's military operations have affected over 95,000 Palestinians since 2025, stressing: "This was due to Israeli forces' operations, curfews and other movement restrictions, displacement, damage or destruction of private property and public infrastructure."

"Meanwhile, settler attacks are continuing unabated," he said.

Citing the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Dujarric said there were at least "1,680 attacks by Israeli settlers that caused casualties or property damage in more than 270 communities across the West Bank" in 2025.

"That's an average of five incidents per day," he said, reminding that "Israel, as the occupying power, has a legal obligation to protect civilians and maintain public order and safety in the West Bank in accordance with international humanitarian and human rights law; any use of force by Israel must follow internationally recognized law enforcement standards."