UN warns of surge in attacks on Palestinians across occupied territories

United Nations officials are warning that the occupied West Bank is at a "breaking point" due to an unprecedented surge in Israeli settler violence and military raids. UN Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov reported that settler attacks have increased by 63% in the first half of 2026, displacing over 3,800 Palestinians. Despite a October 2025 ceasefire, Israeli forces have killed over 1,200 Palestinians in Gaza, while continuing systematic home demolitions and land seizures in the West Bank.

West Bank settler violence surge

• ▪The number of serious incidents of nationalistic crime committed by extremist Jewish settlers in the West Bank increased by 63 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, with 660 attacks recorded.
• ▪Attacks by Jewish settlers targeting Israeli security forces in the West Bank rose by 50 percent in the first half of 2026, with 45 incidents recorded.
• ▪The United Nations documented more than 1,430 Israeli settler attacks affecting approximately 260 Palestinian communities in the West Bank during 2026.

Palestinian casualties in attacks

• ▪Israeli forces and settlers killed at least 75 Palestinians in the West Bank during 2026 as of August 10, 2026.
• ▪Israeli forces killed approximately 160 Palestinians in Gaza during July 2026, with most killings occurring in densely populated displacement areas.
• ▪Israeli settler violence in the first half of 2026 wounded 140 Palestinians and killed six, compared to 82 wounded and none killed during the first half of 2025.

Forced displacement of communities

• ▪More than 3,800 Palestinians, nearly half of whom are children, have been displaced in the West Bank during 2026 by settler violence, demolitions, and evictions.
• ▪Since January 2023, 127 Palestinian communities in the West Bank have been fully or partially displaced, including 47 completely uprooted, affecting over 6,390 people.
• ▪Israeli forces demolished an average of 122 Palestinian buildings every month in 2026, including the August 4 demolition of three classrooms at Shaab al-Butum school.

UN Security Council warnings

• ▪United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov warned the UN Security Council on August 11, 2026, that the West Bank is at a breaking point due to unprecedented settler violence.
• ▪United Nations independent experts stated on August 10, 2026, that Israeli settler terror operates with the protection and participation of Israeli forces, encouraged by cabinet members.
• ▪Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon stated at the UN Security Council that Israel prosecutes settler violence, while accusing the council of ignoring Palestinian attacks.

Israeli military raids

• ▪Israeli forces raided multiple West Bank towns on August 8, 2026, firing tear gas in Tubas and al-Mughayyir, and detaining seven worshippers at an Idhna mosque.
• ▪Israeli forces arrested at least 23 Palestinians and demolished several homes across the West Bank on August 11, 2026, including the family home of Farouq Ramadan in Tal.

Gaza ceasefire violations

• ▪Israeli attacks have killed at least 1,257 Palestinians and wounded over 4,131 others since the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire took effect.
• ▪Israeli strikes killed two Palestinians in separate attacks in Khan Younis and Gaza City on August 13, 2026, despite the active ceasefire agreement.

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