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UN human rights chief concerns about increased tension in West Bank

Xinhua, October 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Thursday said he was extremely concerned about increased tensions and violence in Occupied Palestinian Territory, and stressed that calm can only be restored on the basis of respect for human rights.

"More bloodshed will only lead to more hatred on both sides, and offer no solution in the long run," Zeid said in a statement.

The security situation has deteriorated dramatically over the past week in the West Bank, four Israelis and five Palestinians have already lost their lives, while hundreds of others have been injured.

In the past week, violent clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces have been reported in more than 50 different locations, including in East Jerusalem, Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarm and Nablus.

On Oct. 1, an Israeli family was reportedly attacked by Palestinians in a drive-by shooting in the northern West Bank, causing the deaths of both parents. Two days later, a Palestinian youth allegedly attacked an Israeli family in the Old City in East Jerusalem, killing two men and injuring a woman and a toddler, following which he was shot and killed by Israeli security forces.

On Oct. 4 and 5, two Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy from Aida Refugee camp, were reportedly killed during clashes with Israeli security forces.

Also on Oct. 4, a young Palestinian was reportedly killed by Israeli policemen near the Old City, in circumstances that remain unclear.

Earlier on Wednesday, a Palestinian was reportedly shot by police in Kiryat Gat, in Israel, after attempting an attack.

"The escalating tensions indicate a general sense of growing frustration and despair resulting from the situation of prolonged occupation," Zeid noted.

According to his agency, at least 134 Palestinians have reportedly been injured by live ammunition in the context of clashes with Israeli security forces since Sept. 28, and hundreds more have been injured by tear-gas inhalation and rubber bullets.

"The high number of casualties, in particular those resulting from the use of live ammunition by Israeli security forces, raise concerns of excessive use of force, and violations of the right to life and security of the person," said the High Commissioner. Endit