Geneva, Feb. 15 (SANA) The spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned on Sunday that the expansion of Israeli control and surveillance measures in the occupied West Bank is aimed at pushing for the forced displacement of Palestinians and entrenching the illegal annexation in violation of international law.
Ravina Shamdasani told reporters that Israel’s decision to expand control activities in areas administered by the Palestinian Authority “raises serious concerns.” She said the policies rely not only on formal eviction orders but also on the “accumulation of living and security pressures” that push Palestinian residents toward indirect forced displacement.
She added that the West Bank has become an increasingly pressured environment for Palestinians, a trend that has intensified since October 7, 2023, though it began earlier.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented more than 1,000 Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since October 7, including 1,052 verified killings by Israeli forces or settlers.
On February 11, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said Israeli authorities’ recent expansion of land confiscations in the West Bank constitutes a violation of Palestinians’ right to self-determination and undermines the prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
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