With calls to annex the West Bank enjoying broad support from Israeli politicians, the violence across the region has heightened. Over the last week, four Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces across the West Bank, including two 14-year-old boys. A 58-year-old Palestinian man was fatally shot at the Al Murabba'a checkpoint near Nablus by Israeli soldiers. In Balata refugee camp, Israeli troops killed a 25-year-old man who simply opened his rooftop door adjacent to a house under military siege. Most tragically, two Palestinian boys, both aged 14, were shot dead at the entrance to Jenin refugee camp when residents attempted to check on their homes following news of an Israeli military withdrawal. It’s unlikely that any of the Israelis who killed these Palestinians will face any semblance of justice.
Early this week, Israeli forces imposed severe movement restrictions affecting approximately 40,000 Palestinians in the Biddu Barrier enclave, comprising nine villages in northwestern Jerusalem. The enclave remains under near-complete closure, with the main access road gate opening only briefly once daily. Israeli forces have erected earth mounds in order to sever secondary roads, leaving only one main route accessible primarily for military use. These restrictions have halted education as teachers cannot access schools, while emergency medical evacuations face significant delays. The Biddu Medical Center has been converted to a 24-hour emergency facility despite limited capacity.
Fifty-five Palestinian-owned structures were demolished for lacking Israeli-issued building permits, including 15 residences, 35 agricultural structures, and five water/sanitation facilities. These demolitions displaced 57 people, including 28 children, and affected over 160 people's livelihoods, including the demolition of nine structures in the South 'Anata Bedouin community near the E1 settlement plan area, and forced self-demolition by a Silwan family of eight to avoid additional fines.
