Is Israel's Survival at Stake in Its New West Bank Conflict?
The IDF has initiated a new operation targeting Palestinians, yet amidst the rising civilian toll, Hamas seems unfazed. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The IDF has initiated a military campaign on the West Bank that started on August 28, following unsuccessful attempts to suppress Hamas in Gaza. The military action, named 'Operation Summer Camps,' is the most extensive Israeli operation in the region since 2002. It involves a considerable deployment of Israeli forces, including helicopters and drones, focusing on cities like Jenin, Tubas, and Tulkarem, particularly the refugee camps.
On the same day, the humanitarian organization Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor noted severe violations by the Israeli forces: "Immediately after entering the West Bank, the Israeli army began besieging hospitals, ambulances, and emergency centres, replicating its horrifying and systematic policy of breaching and taking control of health institutions that it has employed in the Gaza Strip."
The assaults have been accompanied by extensive raid and arrest campaigns across many West Bank cities, causing numerous injuries among Palestinians. Since the previous October, the attacks have resulted in the deaths of 660 Palestinians in the region due to the systematic large-scale violence by the Israeli military.
On August 31, journalist Mariam Barghouti reflected on the violence, saying, "I was in Jenin and I cannot explain how ruthless the Israeli military is being. The city is like a ghost town and the refugee camp is a collective torture chamber. Israeli practices in Jenin include: mass arrests including minors, blowing up homes of civilians, denying entry of food, water, medics. The children that managed to escape are traumatized, they’re nothing but tears and shock. Everyone is unable to fully recognize this unprecedented violence and at such an intensity. Jenin is another Gaza in terms of violence being inflicted."
According to the UN’s OCHA, in the week from August 27 to September 2 alone, Israeli forces killed 30 Palestinians, including seven children, marking the highest weekly death toll since November 2023.
OCHA further disclosed ongoing brutality, noting the killing of an 82-year-old man attempting to buy bread and the fatal shootings of two boys, aged 13 and 16, during a pursuit by Israeli forces as they tried to supply bread to besieged families.
From October 7, 2023, to September 2, 2024, OCHA reported that "652 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem." They also recorded about 1,300 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, with over 120 resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Multiple reports have detailed the egregious treatment of Palestinians by Israeli forces, including torture and abuse exposed through leaked footage and testimonies from hapless Palestinian captives.
Regarding the current crisis, a news outlet reported on September 3 the death of at least 53 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention since the previous October.
In an aggressive tone, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz, on the day the bombardment started, declared the necessity of strict measures comparable to those taken in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu was noted for displaying a map with the West Bank erased during a press conference.
There is also significant resistance from Palestinian groups. Reports indicate that the Jenin Brigade alone conducted over 15 IED operations causing casualties and damage to Israeli forces, and similar resistance continues in areas like Tulkarm.
Retired Israeli General Yitzhak Brick recently criticized Israel’s ongoing strategy, saying, "Israel is sinking deeper into the Gazan mud, losing more and more soldiers as they get killed or wounded, without any chance of achieving the war’s main goal: bringing down Hamas. The country really is galloping towards the edge of an abyss. If the war of attrition against Hamas and Hezbollah continues, Israel will collapse within no more than a year."
In light of these events, EuroMed has urgently called for international sanctions against Israel, urging countries to "impose strong sanctions on Israel and halt all forms of military, political, and financial assistance. This includes immediately cutting off all arms transfers to Israel, including export permits and military aid; otherwise, these nations will be complicit in and partners in the Israeli crimes committed in the Gaza Strip, including the crime of genocide."This call for international action comes against a backdrop of widespread condemnation of Israeli military operations and a growing recognition of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the West Bank and Gaza. Human rights organizations have documented numerous violations, stressing the urgent need for accountability and intervention.
While the Israeli military has intensified its operations, there are fears that the situation could spiral into a larger conflict. The ongoing violence and resulting civilian suffering have drawn attention from various global leaders and organizations. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has pointed out that "there is mounting evidence that no Palestinian is safe under Israel’s unfettered control," indicating a profound escalation of violence against Palestinian civilians.
Moreover, the reports of dire conditions in occupied territories raise significant questions about international policy toward Israel. The Palestinian populace, already enduring severe economic hardships and psychological trauma, faces the additional threat of displacement as military operations continue. Many fear that the systematic destruction and violence will lead to irreversible demographic and cultural shifts in the region.
Palestinian groups have been vocal in their resistance, utilizing social media and other platforms to showcase the realities on the ground. They argue that the international community's response has been insufficient, often criticized for prioritizing diplomatic relations over humanitarian concerns. Resistance efforts include not only demonstration and armed confrontations but also grassroots organizing to provide aid and support for those affected by violence.
In nearby countries, the turmoil has prompted renewed debates over refugee status and the rights of Palestinians displaced by ongoing violence. As families are uprooted and communities shattered, the question of international responsibility looms large. Humanitarian organizations highlight the need for increased resources to support displaced individuals and advocate for a long-term resolution to the conflict.
The wider implications of the current conflict extend beyond the immediate region. As tensions escalate, neighboring nations are watching closely, with leaders facing pressure to respond to the situation. Some have begun to call for a reinvigoration of peace talks, though skepticism remains regarding the willingness of the Israeli government to engage meaningfully in dialogue.
As the suffering continues, there are growing demands for accountability for both the Israeli government and armed settlers who have claimed a virtual impunity in their attacks against Palestinians. The persistence of violence against civilians in this protracted conflict has left many questioning the effectiveness of existing frameworks for peace and security in the region.
The urgency for concrete international action against violations of human rights becomes ever more critical. Advocacy groups are mobilizing efforts worldwide, urging citizens and governments alike to take a stand against what they describe as a systematic campaign of oppression. The call for an arms embargo on Israel is gaining momentum, reflecting a growing sentiment that the international community must not remain passive in the face of such humanitarian crises.
As the situation evolves, the global spotlight remains on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The historical struggles of the Palestinian people call for renewed commitment to justice and equity as they continue to face significant challenges amid a backdrop of violence and uncertainty. Many hope that with international pressure and solidarity, pathways for dialogue and resolution may one day emerge from the shadows of devastation and despair.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
On the same day, the humanitarian organization Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor noted severe violations by the Israeli forces: "Immediately after entering the West Bank, the Israeli army began besieging hospitals, ambulances, and emergency centres, replicating its horrifying and systematic policy of breaching and taking control of health institutions that it has employed in the Gaza Strip."
The assaults have been accompanied by extensive raid and arrest campaigns across many West Bank cities, causing numerous injuries among Palestinians. Since the previous October, the attacks have resulted in the deaths of 660 Palestinians in the region due to the systematic large-scale violence by the Israeli military.
On August 31, journalist Mariam Barghouti reflected on the violence, saying, "I was in Jenin and I cannot explain how ruthless the Israeli military is being. The city is like a ghost town and the refugee camp is a collective torture chamber. Israeli practices in Jenin include: mass arrests including minors, blowing up homes of civilians, denying entry of food, water, medics. The children that managed to escape are traumatized, they’re nothing but tears and shock. Everyone is unable to fully recognize this unprecedented violence and at such an intensity. Jenin is another Gaza in terms of violence being inflicted."
According to the UN’s OCHA, in the week from August 27 to September 2 alone, Israeli forces killed 30 Palestinians, including seven children, marking the highest weekly death toll since November 2023.
OCHA further disclosed ongoing brutality, noting the killing of an 82-year-old man attempting to buy bread and the fatal shootings of two boys, aged 13 and 16, during a pursuit by Israeli forces as they tried to supply bread to besieged families.
From October 7, 2023, to September 2, 2024, OCHA reported that "652 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem." They also recorded about 1,300 attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, with over 120 resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Multiple reports have detailed the egregious treatment of Palestinians by Israeli forces, including torture and abuse exposed through leaked footage and testimonies from hapless Palestinian captives.
Regarding the current crisis, a news outlet reported on September 3 the death of at least 53 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention since the previous October.
In an aggressive tone, Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz, on the day the bombardment started, declared the necessity of strict measures comparable to those taken in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu was noted for displaying a map with the West Bank erased during a press conference.
There is also significant resistance from Palestinian groups. Reports indicate that the Jenin Brigade alone conducted over 15 IED operations causing casualties and damage to Israeli forces, and similar resistance continues in areas like Tulkarm.
Retired Israeli General Yitzhak Brick recently criticized Israel’s ongoing strategy, saying, "Israel is sinking deeper into the Gazan mud, losing more and more soldiers as they get killed or wounded, without any chance of achieving the war’s main goal: bringing down Hamas. The country really is galloping towards the edge of an abyss. If the war of attrition against Hamas and Hezbollah continues, Israel will collapse within no more than a year."
In light of these events, EuroMed has urgently called for international sanctions against Israel, urging countries to "impose strong sanctions on Israel and halt all forms of military, political, and financial assistance. This includes immediately cutting off all arms transfers to Israel, including export permits and military aid; otherwise, these nations will be complicit in and partners in the Israeli crimes committed in the Gaza Strip, including the crime of genocide."This call for international action comes against a backdrop of widespread condemnation of Israeli military operations and a growing recognition of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the West Bank and Gaza. Human rights organizations have documented numerous violations, stressing the urgent need for accountability and intervention.
While the Israeli military has intensified its operations, there are fears that the situation could spiral into a larger conflict. The ongoing violence and resulting civilian suffering have drawn attention from various global leaders and organizations. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has pointed out that "there is mounting evidence that no Palestinian is safe under Israel’s unfettered control," indicating a profound escalation of violence against Palestinian civilians.
Moreover, the reports of dire conditions in occupied territories raise significant questions about international policy toward Israel. The Palestinian populace, already enduring severe economic hardships and psychological trauma, faces the additional threat of displacement as military operations continue. Many fear that the systematic destruction and violence will lead to irreversible demographic and cultural shifts in the region.
Palestinian groups have been vocal in their resistance, utilizing social media and other platforms to showcase the realities on the ground. They argue that the international community's response has been insufficient, often criticized for prioritizing diplomatic relations over humanitarian concerns. Resistance efforts include not only demonstration and armed confrontations but also grassroots organizing to provide aid and support for those affected by violence.
In nearby countries, the turmoil has prompted renewed debates over refugee status and the rights of Palestinians displaced by ongoing violence. As families are uprooted and communities shattered, the question of international responsibility looms large. Humanitarian organizations highlight the need for increased resources to support displaced individuals and advocate for a long-term resolution to the conflict.
The wider implications of the current conflict extend beyond the immediate region. As tensions escalate, neighboring nations are watching closely, with leaders facing pressure to respond to the situation. Some have begun to call for a reinvigoration of peace talks, though skepticism remains regarding the willingness of the Israeli government to engage meaningfully in dialogue.
As the suffering continues, there are growing demands for accountability for both the Israeli government and armed settlers who have claimed a virtual impunity in their attacks against Palestinians. The persistence of violence against civilians in this protracted conflict has left many questioning the effectiveness of existing frameworks for peace and security in the region.
The urgency for concrete international action against violations of human rights becomes ever more critical. Advocacy groups are mobilizing efforts worldwide, urging citizens and governments alike to take a stand against what they describe as a systematic campaign of oppression. The call for an arms embargo on Israel is gaining momentum, reflecting a growing sentiment that the international community must not remain passive in the face of such humanitarian crises.
As the situation evolves, the global spotlight remains on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The historical struggles of the Palestinian people call for renewed commitment to justice and equity as they continue to face significant challenges amid a backdrop of violence and uncertainty. Many hope that with international pressure and solidarity, pathways for dialogue and resolution may one day emerge from the shadows of devastation and despair.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
