Comment By UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani On Worsening West Bank ViolenceGeneva, 29 July 2026Two years after the ruling by the International Court of Justice that Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian Territory was unlawful and must be ended as rapidly as possible, the violence by settlers and widening annexation of Palestinian territory in the West Bank is only getting worse. Since last Thursday, eight Palestinians, including a boy, as well as two members of the Israeli military have been killed in the occupied West Bank. Settlers and Israeli security forces, often acting together, have attacked local communities, assaulting families, destroying and confiscating property, and burning mosques. Movement restrictions are now tighter, blocking Palestinians from reaching essential services. We are alarmed by the Israeli Government’s announcement to further increase the number of settlements and outposts, and open calls by Israeli leaders for revenge and collective punishment against Palestinian communities, accompanied by threats to turn the West Bank into another Gaza.