Ramallah: As the Israeli occupation leverages regional tensions and international distractions, there has been a marked increase in violations against Palestinians in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. This escalation has manifested through intensified attacks by both the Israeli army and settlers, alongside tightened military restrictions. These actions form part of a broader strategy aimed at forced displacement and altering the realities on the ground.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, during the first week of the ongoing conflict, from February 28 to March 8, 2026, there has been a significant uptick in settler violations, with an estimated increase of nearly 25% compared to the period preceding the Israeli-American military confrontation with Iran. This period witnessed the deaths of eight Palestinians, with five killed by settlers' gunfire in various regions, including Abu Falah village near Ramallah and Qaryout village south of Nablus. Two young men were killed by the Israeli army in Hebron, and another citizen died from tear gas inhalation during a settler attack.
Despite the direct military operations occurring outside Palestinian territories, the occupation authorities have imposed unprecedented, strict military measures under the guise of security. These measures have included road closures, iron gates blocking access to Palestinian cities and towns, and increased control over military checkpoints. Such restrictions have severely disrupted daily life, impeding movement, preventing access to workplaces, and stifling economic activity as Eid al-Fitr approaches.
Simultaneously, several areas have been subjected to brutal settler attacks. In Beit Anan, northwest of Jerusalem, a Palestinian was injured during an attack on his farmland. The Bedouin community of Ma'azi Jaba' saw property destruction and livestock killings, resulting in a child's injury. In the northern Jordan Valley, settler violence led to the injury of eight citizens in Ras Al-Ahmar, south of Tubas.
Reflecting a concerning displacement policy, six families in Aqaba village dismantled their homes in preparation to leave following escalated attacks. During these incidents, 12 citizens were shot by the Israeli army as they attempted to repel a settler attack. Israeli forces have also intensified their military measures, launching widespread detention campaigns across the West Bank, including Jerusalem, affecting hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children.
Local institutions report over 225 arrests during the past week, with court sessions for Palestinian prisoners postponed, appeals delayed, and lawyers barred from Israeli courts due to closures. Occupation forces and settlers have uprooted hundreds of olive trees in various areas, impacting livelihoods further.
In occupied Jerusalem, the occupation has exploited regional tensions to enforce tighter restrictions, including the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, affecting prayer activities and barring entry to Palestinians from the West Bank and 1948 lands. These restrictions coincide with Ramadan and have caused significant economic losses for traders in Jerusalem's Old City. Excavations under Al-Aqsa continue amid the absence of worshippers, raising concerns about potential changes to the site's status.
UN experts warn that Jerusalem is at risk of irreversible changes due to accelerated Israeli measures aimed at altering its demographic composition and religious character. In Hebron, the Ibrahimi Mosque has been closed off, with employees barred from entry, as part of efforts to assert control over holy sites.
In the Gaza Strip, despite an announced ceasefire since October, Israeli forces have continued bombing various areas and imposing strict restrictions on crossings, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The Ministry of Health reports significant casualties and injuries since the ceasefire. International bodies warn of deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with medicine stocks dwindling and limited access to medical supplies.
The WHO emphasizes the need for steady aid delivery, including medical supplies and evacuations, to prevent life-threatening delays in patient care. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlights the impact of postponed staff rotations and suspended medical evacuations, with the ongoing blockade threatening the entry of humanitarian aid.
Source: Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA
