JERUSALEM: The year 2024 marked an unprecedented surge in settler-related violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with the highest number of incidents recorded since documentation began two decades ago. This alarming trend was highlighted in a report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which detailed the ramifications of such violence on Palestinian communities.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, OCHA’s daily report revealed that approximately 1,400 incidents in 2024 resulted in Palestinian casualties, property damage, or both. The violence and subsequent access restrictions have had profound effects on the local population, with 12 percent of the 4,700 displaced individuals across the West Bank citing these factors as the primary reasons for leaving their homes or communities.

The report further indicated that 2024 saw the second-highest number of Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since OCHA began recording, following 2023, which holds the highest record. More than 480 Palestinians, including 91 children, were reportedly killed, predominantly by Israeli forces. The report also noted that Israeli operations in 2023 and 2024 involved airstrikes and other tactics beyond conventional law enforcement measures.

The data underscores the escalating conflict and its severe humanitarian impact, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention and dialogue to address the underlying issues contributing to the violence. The report’s findings have sparked calls for international attention to mitigate further escalation and foster peace in the region.