“The West Bank is rapidly descending into chaos, with the Israeli military escalation sparking an alarming escalation of violence, effectively turning the region into a war zone,” says UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
He warns that this surge in violence is a devastating spillover from the Gaza war, resulting in the loss of innocent lives, including children, with over 50 Palestinians killed and 40,000 displaced.
Lazzarini emphasizes that the situation is dire, with widespread destruction of public infrastructure, roads being bulldozed, and access restrictions becoming the new norm. This has led to immense suffering, with people’s lives being turned upside down, and traumatic experiences resurfacing.
“The West Bank is transforming into a battleground, where ordinary Palestinians are bearing the brunt of the violence,” Lazzarini notes. “It’s imperative that this cycle of violence ends, and a lasting solution is found to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.”