UN blasts Israel’s use of ‘war fighting’ methods in West Bank's Jenin

The United Nations has raised serious concerns about the disproportionate use of force by Israeli military in its ongoing major assault on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. 

Addressing a media briefing in the Swiss city Geneva on Friday, UN human rights office spokesman Thameen al-Kheetan said the world body was "deeply concerned by the use of unlawful lethal force in Jenin."

"The deadly Israeli operations in recent days raise serious concerns about unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including methods and means developed for war fighting, in violation of international human rights law, norms and standards applicable to law enforcement operations," al-Kheetan said.

These Israeli raids include multiple airstrikes and apparently random shooting at unarmed residents attempting to flee or find safety, the spokesman said.

"Israel must adopt and enforce rules of engagement that are fully in line with applicable human rights norms and standards," al-Kheetan added.

The spokesman also reminded Israel of its responsibilities as the occupying power. He stressed the need for an investigation is required into human rights abuses committed by Israeli forces across the occupied territories.

"By persistently failing, over the years, to hold accountable members of its forces responsible for unlawful killings, Israel is not only violating its obligations under international law, but risks encouraging the recurrence of such killings," the spokesperson stressed.

The clashes in Jenin have displaced over 3,000 families and disrupted essential services such as electricity and water for weeks, he said.

"We recall again that the transfer by Israel of its own population into territories it occupies amounts to a war crime," he said.

 Al-Kheetan also highlighted concerns over repeated statements from Israeli authorities about plans to further expand settlements, calling such actions a clear breach of international law.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the spokesman said the Israeli assault in Jenin could threaten the newly agreed ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Israeli troops carry out field executions, expel Palestinians from Jenin

The official death toll from the Israeli raids on the occupied West Bank city of Jenin has risen to at least 13 since Tuesday.

The Israeli raids were launched within days of the start of a ceasefire in Gaza that saw the first exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails since a brief truce in November 2023.

Hundreds of Jenin residents fled their homes as the Israeli military demolished a number of houses on the third day of the major assault in the West Bank city on Thursday.

The Israeli military presses ahead with its large-scale raid on the West Bank city of Jenin, with the official death toll from the military attacks standing at least 12.

The invaders have stepped their mass arrest, strip search and interrogation of residents, forcibly expelling Palestinians from their homes after ordering them out via loudspeakers and air-dropped leaflets.

Israel’s military actions were not limited to Jenin. There were more raids and arrests in other areas across the occupied territories.

Israel’s intensified raids in the West Bank have drawn condemnations. The UN has warned that Israel may repeat its Gaza genocide in the occupied West Bank.

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